Subjects with lower extremity lymphedema will be prescribed, per standard of care, to either Flexitouch Plus with conservative care or conservative care only and be followed for 12 months.
Conservative care treatment for lymphedema may include use of compression, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD, performed either by a therapist or self-MLD), exercises and skin care. Subjects presenting to a vein clinic (Center for Vein Restoration or CVR) with lymphedema of the lower extremity/ies may receive a standard-of-care prescription for conservative care or for the Flexitouch Plus pneumatic compression device along with conservative care. Subjects will be followed (by phone and in clinic) for 12 months after initiating treatment for venous- and lymphedema-related complications, unscheduled visits, changes in quality of life measures and edema measures, skin changes, and changes to wounds (if present).
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
63
May include graduated compression, MLD performed by a licensed therapist, self-MLD, and instruction on exercise and skin care.
Flexitouch Plus treatment.
Center for Vein Restoration - Glen Burnie
Glen Burnie, Maryland, United States
Center for Vein Restoration - Greenbelt
Greenbelt, Maryland, United States
Center for Vein Restoration - Silver Spring
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Complications
To evaluate the Flexitouch Plus and conservative care, compared to conservative care alone, in vascular patients with lower extremity lymphedema after 12 months of treatment based upon the number of lymphedema and venous-related complications.
Time frame: 12 months
Number of unscheduled visits
To evaluate the Flexitouch Plus and conservative care, compared to conservative care alone, in vascular patients with lower extremity lymphedema after 12 months of treatment based upon the number of lymphedema and venous-related unscheduled follow-up visits (non-routine clinic, hospital, urgent care, and emergency room visits).
Time frame: 12 months
Quality of life changes: Short-Form 12 (SF-12)
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Flexitouch Plus and conservative care, compared to conservative care alone, in vascular patients with lower extremity lymphedema after 6 months of treatment based upon changes in the SF-12. This survey includes 12 questions to measure physical and mental health from the patient's point of view. The questionnaire includes eight health domains: physical functioning, physical health problems, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional health problems, and mental health. The scoring mechanism uses T scores for all surveys using means and standard deviations from the 1998 US general population. A higher score represents better function.
Time frame: 6 months
Quality of life changes: Quality of Life with Venous Insufficiency (CIVIQ-20)
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Flexitouch Plus and conservative care, compared to conservative care alone, in vascular patients with lower extremity lymphedema after 6 months of treatment based upon changes in the CIVIQ-20, which is a survey specific to assess patient-perceived quality of life with chronic venous disorders. The instrument reviews four dimensions - psychological (range 9-45), pain (range 4-20), physical (range 4-20), and social (range 3-15). A global index score can be obtained by adding up the scores of all 20 items (range 20-100). A low score corresponds to greater patient comfort.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: 6 months
Quality of life changes: Lymphedema Quality of Life Tool (LYMQOL)
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Flexitouch Plus and conservative care, compared to conservative care alone, in vascular patients with lower extremity lymphedema after 6 months of treatment based upon changes in the LYMQOL, used to assess lymphedema symptom changes. LYMQOL includes sub-scores for function (range 8-32), appearance (range 7-28), symptoms (range 5-20), and mood (range 6-24) where lower scores represent a better outcome. It also includes an overall QOL sub-score (range 0-10) where a higher score represents a better outcome.
Time frame: 6 months
Quality of life changes: Clinical Global Impression of Change - Global Improvement (CGI-I)
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Flexitouch Plus and conservative care, compared to conservative care alone, in vascular patients with lower extremity lymphedema after 6 months of treatment based upon a clinician's response to one question at the 6 month follow-up visit pertaining to overall clinical improvement (range 1-7). A lower score signifies greater improvement.
Time frame: 6 months
Quality of life changes: Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC)
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Flexitouch Plus and conservative care, compared to conservative care alone, in vascular patients with lower extremity lymphedema after 6 months of treatment based upon the patient's response to one question at the 6 month follow-up visit pertaining to overall status change (range 1-7). A lower score signifies greater improvement.
Time frame: 6 months
Edema measures
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Flexitouch Plus and conservative care, compared to conservative care alone, in vascular patients with lower extremity lymphedema after 6 months of treatment based upon changes in edema measures on affected/ most affected leg.
Time frame: 6 months
Presence and severity of skin changes
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Flexitouch Plus and conservative care, compared to conservative care alone, in vascular patients with lower extremity lymphedema after 6 months of treatment based upon skin changes on affected/ most affected leg.
Time frame: 6 months
Wound area
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Flexitouch Plus and conservative care, compared to conservative care alone, in vascular patients with lower extremity lymphedema after 6 months of treatment based upon percent wound area reduction in subjects presenting with wounds.
Time frame: 6 months