Effects of complex decongestive physiotherapy on lower extremity lymphedema: A pilot study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy on lower extremity lymphedema. Material and methods: 12 patients with lower extremity lymphedema due to gynecologic cancer participated in this study. During 4 weeks, 5 days weekly, for a total of 20 sessions, a Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy program including manual lymphatic drainage-skin care-compression bandage-exercise (reduction phase) and compression garment (maintaining phase) was being applied. Patients were evaluated with circumferential and volumetric measurements. Results were evaluated before treatment, after tenth session, after treatment and one month after the treatment. Results: The difference in all the parameters that were evaluated, were significant (p<0.01). The maximum reduction of edema of approximately 751.2 ml (44.9%) was seen in the first two weeks (p<0.01). Later the reduction of edema continued (p<0.01) and the total reduction of edema was 1077.8 ml (64.4%). With the application of compression garments after the treatment, the total reduction of edema was 73.6% (1231.2 ml). Conclusion: Our study showed that complex decongestive physiotherapy is an effective method for reducing lymphedema.