The Long -Term Effects of Complex Decongestive Physical Therapy on Lower Extremity Secondary Lymphedema and Quality of Life

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether quality of life (QOL) was improved in gynecological cancer patients with lymphedema following Complex Decongestive Physical Therapy (CDPT), and whether edema volume change as a result of treatment correlated with change in QOL. [Subjects and Methods] Forty-six patients who had unilateral lower leg lymphedema were treated with CDPT for 2-4 weeks. Percentage excess volume (PCEV) and QOL were recorded at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months after CDPT. [Results] PCEV was significantly decreased at 1 month. There was a statistically significant difference in physical functioning, role-physical, mental health, and general health in the Korean version of the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that QOL was significantly improved for gynecological cancer patients with lower leg lymphedema during the maintenance phase, and was necessarily correlated with the PCEV.