Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the aqua-lymphatic therapy (ALT) on unilateral lower extremity lymphedema in the maintenance phase.
Materials and methods: This is a randomized controlled trial with a blinded assessor. The study was completed with 30 ALT and 27 control group participants. Foot volume was assessed by a water displacement device, limb volume by circumference measurements, functional capacity by a 6-minute walk test, quality of life by Short Form-36, and social appearance by Social Appearance Anxiety Scale and hopeless by Beck Hopeless Scale. The ALT and the control group had group sessions twice in a week for 6 weeks directed by a physiotherapist.
Results: The mean age of ALT patients was 44.50 ± 13.69 years, whereas that of the control patients was 47.66 ± 16.82 years. After the intervention, both groups' measurement of edema, functional level, quality of life, as well as social and future concerns improved significantly but this improvement was higher in the ALT group (p < 0.05, p ≤ 0.001).
Conclusions: ALT was found to be a safe effective method for unilateral lower extremity lymphedema patients during the maintenance phase of Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy.
Keywords: aqua-lymphatic therapy; complex decongestive physiotherapy; lower extremity lymphedema; lymph drainage.