Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07095764

Effects of In-Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation and Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Heart failure is a major global health issue requiring effective interventions to enhance patients' physical function and quality of life. Cardiac rehabilitation, particularly when started early during hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure, has been shown to improve cardiovascular function, reduce hospital readmissions, and boost recovery. In-hospital exercise training enhances physical capacity, strengthens heart function, and alleviates physical limitations. On the other hand, lymphatic dysfunction in heart failure may also contribute to fluid retention, worsening the symptoms including lower extremity edema. Manual lymphatic drainage is considered a safe method to reduce edema and support fluid balance. This study aims to evaluate effects of in-hospital cardiac rehabilitation and manual lymphatic drainage on fluid overload symptoms and functional capacity in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Istanbul University- Cerrahpasa, Cardiology Institute

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure
  • Being clinically stable

Exclusion criteria

  • Having diagnosed pulmonary, neurological, renal, liver, gastrointestinal, orthopedic or oncological pathologies
  • Having cardiomyopathy or congestive pericarditis
  • Recent heart surgery in the past 6 months
  • New or suspected thromboembolic event
  • Presence of open wounds, ulcerations or major dermatological diseases in the lower extremities

Treatment and study plan

Manual lymphatic drainage

Other

Specific manual lymph drainage techniques including stationary circles, rotary circles, pumping, and scooping will be applied to both lower extremities using gentle, rhythmic skin movements in accordance with the direction of the lymphatic flow.

Cardiac rehabilitation

Other

An individualized program consists of progressive, low-intensity exercises including respiratory exercises, range of motion exercises for major joints, postural exercises, flexibility exercises, and gradual mobilization exercises such as sitting and walking will be applied.

Primary outcomes

  1. Lower extremity edema

    Time frame: At baseline and at hospital discharge, up to 14 days after admission

    Lower extremity edema will be evaluated by circumference measurement

  2. Lower extremity edema

    Time frame: At baseline and at hospital discharge, up to 14 days after admission

    Lower extremity edema will be evaluated by pitting test

  3. Functional capacity

    Time frame: At baseline and at hospital discharge, up to 14 days after admission

    Functional capacity will be measured using 6-min Walk Test.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Health-related quality of life

    Time frame: At baseline and at hospital discharge, up to 14 days after admission

    Health-related quality of life will be evaluted using Short-Form 12 Questionnaire. It is scored between 0-100 and higher scores indicate better quality of life.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Izmir Bakircay University

Other

Collaborators

  • Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
  • Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi
  • Yeditepe University

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jul 31, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 23, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.