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Manual and Self-Lymphatic Drainage Combined With Exercise in Women With Lipedema
Sponsor: Merve SEVINC GUNDUZ
Summary
This randomized controlled study aims to compare the effects of two physiotherapy approaches in women with lipedema. Participants will be assigned to either manual lymphatic drainage combined with supervised aerobic exercise or self-lymphatic drainage combined with physical activity guidance. Both programs will be applied for six weeks. The study will investigate whether these two approaches differ in their effects on pain, lower extremity function, limb volume, mobility, quality of life, and depressive symptoms. Assessments will be performed before the intervention and at the end of the six-week program.
Official title: Efficacy of Two Combined Interventions for Lipedema: A Randomized Comparison of Manual Lymphatic Drainage Plus Aerobic Exercise Versus Self-Lymphatic Drainage With Physical Activity Guidance
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
34
Start Date
2026-08-25
Completion Date
2027-01-30
Last Updated
2026-09-04
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage will be administered by a physiotherapist for approximately 30 minutes per session, twice weekly for 6 weeks. Slow, gentle, rhythmic manual techniques will be applied to facilitate lymphatic drainage.
Aerobic Exercise
Participants will perform supervised moderate-intensity treadmill-based aerobic exercise twice weekly for 6 weeks. Exercise intensity will be prescribed at 64-76% of maximum heart rate and monitored using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale, targeting a score of 11-13.
Self-Lymphatic Drainage
Participants will be instructed by a physiotherapist on how to perform self-lymphatic drainage. They will perform the technique as part of their 6-week intervention program and will be regularly followed by the physiotherapist throughout the intervention period.
Physical Activity Guidance
Participants will receive guidance from a physiotherapist to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity during the 6-week intervention period. Walking intensity will be guided using the Talk Test, with participants instructed to maintain an intensity at which they can talk but not sing. Participants will be regularly followed throughout the intervention period.
Locations (1)
Bezmialem Vakif University
Istanbul, Eyupsultan, Turkey (Türkiye)