Application of standardized complete decongestive therapy in subclinical lower extremity lymphedema
Objective To investigate the efficacy of standardized complete decongestive therapy(CDT)in subclinical lower extremity lymphedema.Methods From June 2021 to December 2022,23 patients with subclinical lower extremity lymphedema treated in the Department of Burn,Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery,Xi'an Central Hospital,Xi'an Jiaotong University were selected as the research objects,and the patients were treated with standardized CDT and followed up for 12 months.The lower extremity lymphedema index(LELI)was used to evaluate the severity of limb swelling,and lymphedema functioning,disability and health questionnaire for lower limb lymphedema(Lymph-ICF-LL)was used to evaluate the improvement of subjective limb symptoms and psychological symptoms.Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyse the correlation between subjective limb symptoms and LELI.Results The LELI of patients before treatment and 6,12 months after treatment was 229.94±13.22,213.13±16.68 and 207.60±15.51,respectively,the difference was statistically significant(F=58.316,P=0.001),indicating that the lower limb volume gradually decreased after standardized CDT treatment.The limb symptom score of Lymph-ICF-LL before treatment and 6,12 months after treatment was 23.12±6.16,17.43±7.39 and 14.30±8.42,respectively,with statistically significant difference(F=20.026,P=0.001),indicating that the limb symptoms of patients were alleviated after standardized CDT treatment.The psychological symptom score of Lymph-ICF-LL before treatment and 6,12 months after treatment was 18.83±10.51,17.09±10.66 and 14.57±7.48,respectively,the difference was not statistically significant(F=2.315,P=0.136),indicating that the psychological symptoms of patients after standardized CDT treatment were not significantly improved.There was a moderate positive correlation between tension and LELI(r=0.522,P=0.011),and a low positive correlation between numbness and LELI(r=0.447,P=0.032).There was no correlation between swelling,heaviness,pain and LELI(r=0.202,0.374,0.255;P=0.356,0.079,0.240).Conclusion As a conservative treatment for lymphedema combining intervention measures and lifestyle changes,standardized CDT can alleviate limb swelling and relieve limb symptoms,which is worthy of further promotion.
万方数据
维普
