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NCT Number: NCT07677761

Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Pressure Injuries

Pressure injuries are a significant health problem, often resulting from pressure, friction, and impaired tissue perfusion, and are particularly common in individuals in intensive care, those with immobility, and those with chronic diseases. The literature extensively addresses interventions such as pressure reduction, the use of appropriate support surfaces, wound care practices, and nutritional support in the prevention and treatment of pressure injuries. However, the role of manual therapies aimed at improving circulation and lymphatic flow, such as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), in pressure injuries has been examined in a limited number of studies. This research aims to fill a significant gap in the literature by evaluating the potential effects of manual lymphatic drainage on reducing edema, improving tissue perfusion, and supporting the wound healing process in individuals with pressure injuries.

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Presence of pressure injury in the sacrum region
  • Volunteer to participate in the study
  • Being over 18 years of age
  • Being hospitalized in the anesthesia intensive care unit

Exclusion criteria

  • Chronic illness that may affect pressure injury healing (malnutrition, hypertension, and diabetes)
  • Discharge during the investigation process
  • Death during the investigation process
  • Acute cellulitis
  • Severe heart failure
  • Renal failure
  • Tuberculosis
  • Superior vena cava obstruction

Treatment and study plan

Experimental

Other

Individuals will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups in a 1:1 ratio via the website random.org. The Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool will be administered to all individuals by the researchers. The size of the wound (length*depth*width) will be measured and recorded. Standard care will be applied to the control group. The experimental group will receive standard care along with manual lymphatic drainage according to the protocol below. Afterwards, the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool will be administered to all individuals by the researchers, and the size of the wound (length*depth*width) will be measured and recorded.

Control

Other

Standard care practices will include regular position changes for patients, use of supportive surfaces to reduce pressure, maintenance of skin integrity, and keeping the wound area clean. Wound cleaning will be performed with sterile solutions, appropriate debridement methods will be applied in the presence of necrotic tissue, and suitable dressing materials will be selected according to the condition of the wound bed. In addition, patients' nutritional status, hydration level, and signs of infection will be regularly assessed, and necessary supportive treatments will be provided.

Primary outcomes

  1. Effect of manual lymphatic drainage

    Time frame: 3 months

    The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of manual lymphatic drainage on the healing level of pressure injuries. Wound healing will be assessed considering the wound stage (Stage 1-2-3-4, unstageable stage, and deep tissue injury) and size (length*width*depth).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

rukiye kökkız, LECTURER

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 507 140 68 98

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Rukiye Kokkiz

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Pressure Injuries: A Pilot Study Example

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 1, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 1, 2026

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.

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