Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2025
05:44
Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Breast Cancer-related Lymphedema
Published on: January 12, 2017
10.1K
Water-based exercise for upper and lower limb lymphedema treatment
Maria Chiara Maccarone1, Erika Venturini2, Erica Menegatti3
1Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation School, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Journal of Vascular Surgery. Venous and Lymphatic Disorders
|August 22, 2022
Summary
Aquatic exercise shows potential for managing lymphedema, improving limb function, pain, and quality of life. Further research is needed to establish specific protocols for this water-based treatment.
Area of Science:
- * Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
- * Lymphology and Edema Management
- * Exercise Science and Sports Medicine
Background:
- * Lymphedema is a chronic condition resulting from impaired lymphatic drainage, causing significant physical and psychological distress.
- * While water-based exercise is recognized for potential benefits, empirical evidence on its efficacy in lymphedema management remains limited.
- * This review addresses the need for a comprehensive evaluation of aquatic therapy's impact on lymphedema patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To conduct a scoping review of existing literature on the effects of water-based exercise for lymphedema.
- * To evaluate the impact of aquatic interventions on pain, motor function, quality of life (QoL), and limb volume in lymphedema patients.
- * To synthesize findings from studies on primary and secondary upper and lower limb lymphedema.
Main Methods:
- * A systematic scoping review was performed, screening studies published between 2000 and 2021.
- * Databases searched included MEDLINE (PubMed) and PEDro, focusing on English-language clinical studies and randomized controlled trials.
- * Nine studies (eight RCTs, one clinical study) met the inclusion criteria, primarily focusing on breast cancer-related lymphedema.
Main Results:
- * Water-based exercise protocols demonstrated improvements in shoulder range of motion (flexion, external rotation, abduction) and lymphedematous limb strength.
- * Significant improvements were observed in pain perception and quality of life (QoL) for patients undergoing aquatic therapy, contrasting with control groups.
- * Most studies reported a reduction in lymphedematous limb volume, particularly in the short term, with no adverse events noted.
Conclusions:
- * Aquatic exercise presents a promising therapeutic option for lymphedema management, enhancing functional outcomes and patient well-being.
- * Significant heterogeneity in study populations and exercise protocols necessitates further investigation.
- * Future research should focus on developing standardized aquatic exercise protocols to optimize conservative lymphedema treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
475
Palpation involves feeling the body to evaluate texture, size, consistency, and tenderness for assessing cardiovascular health. The following steps are organized in a head-to-toe order:
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above...
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above...
475
01:16Lymphatic Vessels and Lymph Transport
8.6K
Lymphatic vessels, known as lymphatics, are crucial in transporting lymph from peripheral tissues to our venous system. This process begins with lymph entering through tiny capillaries that branch through tissues. These capillaries have unique features such as larger diameters, thinner walls, and a distinctive one-way valve system formed by overlapping endothelial cells.
This one-way system allows fluids, solutes, and even pathogens to enter but prevents their return to the intercellular...
This one-way system allows fluids, solutes, and even pathogens to enter but prevents their return to the intercellular...
8.6K
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
19
During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
19
01:20Arteries of Lower Limbs
2.2K
The external iliac artery transitions out of the body cavity, entering the femoral region of the lower leg, and is renamed the femoral artery at the point where it traverses the body wall. This artery is responsible for the distribution of blood to the thigh's deep muscles and the skin's ventral and lateral regions, achieved through several minor branches and the lateral deep femoral artery, which also spawns a lateral circumflex artery. The knee area receives blood from the genicular...
2.2K
01:15Development of the Lymphatic System
1.0K
The development of lymphatic tissues and vessels in embryonic life begins around the fifth week. These structures originate from the mesoderm layer, with lymph sacs emerging from developing veins.
The first lymph sacs to form are the paired jugular lymph sacs located at the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. From these sacs, lymphatic capillary plexuses extend to the thorax, upper limbs, neck, and head, eventually forming lymphatic vessels. Each jugular lymph sac maintains a...
The first lymph sacs to form are the paired jugular lymph sacs located at the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. From these sacs, lymphatic capillary plexuses extend to the thorax, upper limbs, neck, and head, eventually forming lymphatic vessels. Each jugular lymph sac maintains a...
1.0K
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
28
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
28