The efficacy of manual lymphatic drainage therapy in the management of limb edema secondary to reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) therapy in edema secondary to the reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). A total of 34 patients were allocated randomly into two groups. All of the patients undertook nonstreoidal anti-inflammatory drug, physical therapy and therapeutic exercise program for 3 weeks. Patients in study group undertook MLD therapy additionally. Then the patients continued 2-month maintenance period with recommended home programs. Volumetric measurements pain scores and functional measurements were assessed at baseline, after treatment and 2 months after the treatment. After treatment, improvement in edema was statistically significant in the study group but not in the control group. At follow-up, with respect to baseline, improvements were not significant in both of the groups. Between the groups, difference of the percentage improvements in edema was statistically significant with superiority of MLD group after treatment, but not significant at follow-up. In this pilot study, MLD therapy was found to be beneficial in the management of edema resulted from RSD. Although the long-term results showed tendency towards improvement, the difference was not significant.

Manual lymph drainage improving upper extremity edema and hand function in patients with systemic sclerosis in edematous phase

“…In patients with fibromyalgia syndrome, MLD reduced pain intensity and improved pain pressure threshold, QOL, and disability (30).…”

Physiotherapy for pain and disability in adults with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) types I and II

“…We extracted relevant data from eight included trials (Askin 2014;Aydemir 2006;Cacchio 2009a;Dimitrijevic 2014;Duman 2009;Durmus 2004;Hazneci 2005;Li 2012). We contacted or attempted to contact the corresponding authors of 10 trials on three occasions in order to obtain missing outcomes data (Cacchio 2009b;Jeon 2014;Moseley 2004;Moseley 2005;Moseley 2009;Mucha 1992;Schreuders 2014;Uher 2000).…”

“…There were no trials that included participants with CRPS II. Fourteen trials included participants with CRPS I of the upper limb (Askin 2014;Aydemir 2006;Cacchio 2009a;Cacchio 2009b;Duman 2009;Durmus 2004;Hazneci 2005;Li 2012;Moseley 2004;Moseley 2005;Moseley 2009;Mucha 1992;Schreuders 2014), two with either upper or lower limb CRPS I (Dimitrijevic 2014;, one with CRPS I of the lower limb (Uher 2000) and one trial included participants with either upper, lower, multi-limb or whole body CRPS I (Jeon 2014). Participants developed CRPS I linked to a range of aetiologies including onset post fracture, soft-tissue injuries, stroke, surgery, carpal tunnel syndrome as well as of idiopathic onset.…”

“…Participants developed CRPS I linked to a range of aetiologies including onset post fracture, soft-tissue injuries, stroke, surgery, carpal tunnel syndrome as well as of idiopathic onset. Participants had acute symptoms (less than or equal to three months) of CRPS I in six trials (Cacchio 2009a;Dimitrijevic 2014;Durmus 2004;Hazneci 2005;Li 2012;Mucha 1992), chronic symptoms (greater than three months) in seven trials (Duman 2009;Jeon 2014;Moseley 2004;Moseley 2005;Moseley 2009;Schreuders 2014), a mix of acute and chronic symptoms in two trials (Askin 2014;, and three trials did not report the duration of symptoms (Aydemir 2006;Cacchio 2009b;Uher 2000). Trials were undertaken across a range of geographical locations including: Turkey (N = 5); Australia (N = 4); Italy, Germany, the Netherlands (N = 2 each); China, Serbia, and South Korea (N = 1 each).…”

Diabetic foot ulcers in conjunction with lower limb lymphedema: pathophysiology and treatment procedures

“…60,61 The benefit of MLD in lymphedema secondary to complex regional pain syndrome, a clinical condition characterized by posttraumatic diffuse pain with autonomic and vasomotor changes, indicates that MLD could also benefit edema due to autonomic impairment as seen in DFU. 62 Conversely, a recent systematic review of the RCTs evaluating the effects of MLD on breast cancer-related secondary lymphedema indicates that MLD does not prevent or treat lymphedema. 63 However, there were clinical and statistical inconsistencies between the various studies, confounding the evaluation of the reviewed studies.…”