Physiotherapy Applications in Upper Extremity Lipedema

Lipedema which causes excessive accumulation of fat in the subcutaneous tissue, is a rare, progressive disease. This disease generally affects women, following puberty or early adulthood and usually results in the slow increase of the circumference of the legs and/or arms, bilaterally. In a typical presentation of lipedema, the enlargement of the lower extremities is disproportionately greater than that of the trunk and upper extremities When first described in 1940, lipedema was thought to exclusively affect the lower extremities. However, as the disease has been recognized over the years, lipedema has been reported to affect the upper extremities. Upper extremity lipedema, with no involvement of the lower extremities is an extremely rare incident.

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Key information

Conditions

Lipedema Connective Tissue Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Yuksek Ihtisas University

Ankara, 06560, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Due to the hypertrophy in adipose tissue, the link between lymphatic dysfunction and the progression to lipo-lymphedema, lipedema is conservatively treated with physiotherapy, manual lymph drainage and compression, also known as complex decongestive physiotherapy. Furthermore, the consensus of the International Society of Lymphology has stated that intermittent pneumatic compression is an optional treatment which may be applied as an adjuvant therapy to complex decongestive physiotherapy. All participants included in the study were included in a treatment protocol consisting of complex decongestive physiotherapy and intermittent pneumatic compression. The Perometer was used in the measurement of upper extremity volume and circumference before and after treatment.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

being between the ages of 18-65,
having a diagnosis of upper extremity lipedema
being willing to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

accompanying diagnosis of lymphedema,
deep vein thrombosis
disease which causes edema in the upper extremities

Treatment and study plan

Complex decongestive physiotherapy

Procedure

Each patient received a treatment protocol of Complex decongestive physiotherapy for 5 days a week until they were discharged from the clinic. All patients fully completed all components of the treatment routine daily. The treatment was performed by a physiotherapist who was certified with Manual Lymph Drainage Combined Decongestive Physiotherapy. After the daily treatment protocol was completed, patients wore standard or individually sized compression grade II or III medical compression stockings for the rest of the day.

Primary outcomes

Limb Circumference

Time frame: Change from baseline circumference at 4 weeks

For every patient, the circumference measurements of the upper limbs were measured with the Perometer.
Limb Volume

Time frame: Change from baseline volume at 4 weeks

For every patient, the volume measurements of the upper limbs were measured with the Perometer.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Yuksek Ihtisas University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy Applications on Upper Extremity Circumference and Volume in Patients With Lipedema

Important dates

Study start: 2019
Primary completion: 2020
Study completion: 2020
First posted: Nov 25, 2020
Registry last updated: Nov 25, 2020

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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Completed