The Effect of LymphaTouch® and Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Extremity Circumference Measurements in Lymphedema

Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital172 enrolled

Overview

This retrospective study will be conducted using the medical records of lymphedema patients followed in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinics and lymphedema unit of Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital. Women and men aged 18-75 years with a diagnosis of upper or lower extremity lymphedema will be included. Sociodemographic and clinical data of the patients will be recorded, and participants will be divided into two treatment groups: those who received LymphaTouch® therapy and those who underwent Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). Pre- and post-treatment extremity circumference measurements will be obtained from patient records, and the differences between the groups will be compared.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

172

Conditions

Lymphedema

Interventions

No interventionOTHER

No intervention

Eligibility

Sex: ALL

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinically diagnosed with lymphedema * Aged between 18 and 75 years * Complete pre- and post-treatment extremity circumference measurements available in patient records Exclusion Criteria: * History of systemic diseases such as diabetes, rheumatologic disorders, or malignancy * Presence of neurological disorders (e.g., polyneuropathy, multiple sclerosis, history of stroke) * Pregnancy * History of surgery or major trauma involving the affected limb within the past 6 months * History of injection therapy or physical therapy applied to the same limb within the past 6 months * History of infection or active dermatological disease affecting the limb * Incomplete or inconsistent data in patient records

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Extremity Circumference (cm):

he primary outcome will be the difference in limb circumference measurements before and after treatment. Circumference values will be obtained from standardized anatomical landmarks, including the wrist/ankle, and at 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm proximal to the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) or metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. A greater reduction in circumference indicates a more effective treatment response.

Time frame: Baseline