The Usefulness of the Application of Compression Therapy among Lipedema Patients-Pilot Study

Monika Czerwińska (), Jacek Teodorczyk, Dawid Spychała and Rita Hansdorfer-Korzon
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Monika Czerwińska: Department of Physiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
Jacek Teodorczyk: Department of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology Informatics, Medical University of Gdańsk, 17 Mariana Smoluchowskiego Street, 80-214 Gdańsk, Poland
Dawid Spychała: Department of Physiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
Rita Hansdorfer-Korzon: Department of Physiotherapy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: (1) Background: Although lipedema has gained more interest among researchers, specific treatment methods are still unknown. This study aims to identify the effects of compression therapy combined with exercises compared to exercising only. Moreover, the aim is to assess the methodology and outcome measurements before conducting a larger study. (2) Methods: Six women with lipedema were enrolled in the study; three were undergoing exercise program and compression therapy using compression leggings, and the remaining three were undergoing exercises only. During the first 4 weeks, intervention was under the supervision of a physiotherapist, and in the remaining weeks, participants were exercising independently. Measurements of circumference, weight, thickness of the skin and adipose tissue, symptom severity, and quality of life were taken at baseline, after 4 weeks and after 6 weeks; (3) Results: There was a significant decrease in the subjectively reported tendency for bruising and pain at palpation among patients that received compression therapy. Additionally, there was a tendency to reduce or maintain the circumference of the legs in patients using compression, while it tended to increase in patients without compression. (4) Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate that compression therapy, combined with exercises, could improve the quality of life and decrease the severity of lipedema symptoms. Further studies on a large clinical group are advisable.

Keywords: lipedema; compression therapy; subcutaneous adipose tissue; ultrasonography; quality of life; circumference; complete decongestive therapy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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