Lower limb lymphedema disrupts both static and dynamic balance

Area of Science:

• Physiotherapy
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Clinical Biomechanics

Background:

• Lower-limb-lymphedema significantly impacts patient quality of life, particularly concerning balance, though literature is scarce.
• Understanding balance deficits is crucial for effective patient management and rehabilitation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare static and dynamic balance in patients with lower-limb-lymphedema against healthy controls.
• To investigate the relationship between balance parameters and disease duration, functional status, and physical activity levels.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 30 lymphedema patients and 30 healthy participants (52 female, 8 male; mean age 50.63 ± 9.72 years).
• Evaluation of static balance (sway on stable/unstable ground, eyes open/closed) and dynamic stability.
• Correlation analysis of balance parameters with lymphedema duration, functional status, and physical activity.

Main Results:

• Lymphedema patients exhibited significantly poorer dynamic stability (P=0.049) and impaired static balance across most conditions compared to controls.
• Balance deficits, including lateral sway, correlated with lymphedema duration (P≤0.046).
• Anterior-posterior sway correlated with functional status (P=0.02) and physical activity (P≤0.016).

Conclusions:

• Lower-limb-lymphedema significantly alters static and dynamic balance, especially under challenging sensory conditions (eyes closed, unstable ground).
• Routine balance assessment and incorporation of balance exercises into rehabilitation are recommended for lymphedema patients, particularly in early disease stages.