Comparison of Complete Decongestive Therapy With Intermittent Pneumatic Compression for Treatment of Lipedema
Comparison of Complete Decongestive Therapy With Intermittent Pneumatic Compression for Treatment of Lipedema
Lipedema is a chronic, progressive and hereditary adipose tissue disorder characterized by an
 abnormal increase of subcutaneous adipose tissue, especially in the lower extremities. In
 contrast to obesity, lipoedema may not improve with weight loss and does not include the risk
 of metabolic syndrome such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. However, if not
 treated for lipedema, medical complications such as hypermobility, joint problems, walking
 difficulties, and psychological complications such as anxiety and depression may develop.The
 aim of this study was to compare the effects of combined decongestive treatment and
 intermittent pneumatic compression treatment combined with aerobic exercise on pain, quality
 of life and fatigue in patients with lipedema.
Lipedema is a chronic, progressive and hereditary adipose tissue disorder characterized by an
 abnormal increase of subcutaneous adipose tissue, especially in the lower extremities. It is
 often seen in female sex. The main determinants of lipedema are bilateral symmetric swelling
 of the hypodermis of the legs which are painful with palpation or spontaneous and easy
 ecchymosis and hematoma with minor trauma.

 Lipedema usually begins in the period of hormonal change in adolescence or after a few years
 and can progress in women during hormone changes such as pregnancy, gynecologic surgery or
 menopause.

 Lipedema is a different diagnosis from obesity, but it can be misdiagnosed as primary obesity
 due to clinical overlap. In contrast to obesity, lipoedema may not improve with weight loss
 and does not include the risk of metabolic syndrome such as diabetes, hypertension and
 dyslipidemia. However, if not treated for lipedema, medical complications such as
 hypermobility, joint problems, walking difficulties, and psychological complications such as
 anxiety and depression may develop.

 However, if not treated for lipedema, medical complications such as hypermobility, joint
 problems, walking difficulties and psychological complications such as anxiety and depression
 may develop.

 Treatment for lipedema includes conservative and surgical options. In conservative treatment
 to control edema, combined decongestive treatment which consists of manual lymphatic drainage
 and compression bandaging, intermittent pneumatic compression and exercise options are
 included.

 The aim of this study was to compare the effects of combined decongestive treatment and
 intermittent pneumatic compression treatment combined with aerobic exercise on pain, quality
 of life and fatigue in patients with lipedema.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Subject diagnosed with lipedema according to the criteria of revised Wold.

 -  Subject did not participate in any exercise program within the last three months.

 -  No pregnancy / breastfeeding

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  History of acute infection, cancer, inflammatory rheumatic / connective tissue
 diseases

 -  History of cardiovascular or musculoskeletal problems that may prevent them from
 participating in the exercise program