After the treatment of urogenital cancer, a person may develop lymphoedema of the leg(s) and/ or midline region. Lymphoedema is the result of a dysfunction in the lymphatic system and is characterized by excessive retention of lymphatic fluid in the interstitial compartment, adipose deposition and chronic tissue inflammation resulting in fibrosis. Clinical symptoms include abnormal tissue swelling, sensation of limb heaviness, erythema, pain, and impaired limb function. The added value of manual lymph drainage, applied in patients with mild (early) lower limb lymphoedema and in addition to skin care, exercises and a compression stocking, has never been investigated. Therefore, the objective of this randomised controlled pilot trial is to investigate the feasibility of a trial about the added value of manual lymph drainage (to skin care, exercises and wearing compression stocking) in patients with mild (early) lower limb lymphoedema. In fact, the investigators want to determine the sample size for a trial investigating the effectiveness of MLD and want to investigate the feasibility of the study design.
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
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A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Change of lymphoedema-specific quality of life
Timeframe: Baseline-3-6-12 months
Change of volume of the lower limb
Timeframe: Baseline-3-6-12 months
Change of health-related quality of life
Timeframe: Baseline-3-6-12 months
Change of physical activity level
Timeframe: Baseline-3-6-12 months
Change of water content at the level of the legs/ midline region
Timeframe: Baseline-3-6-12 months
Change of extracellular fluid at the level of the legs/ midline region
Timeframe: Baseline-3-6-12 months
Change of body weight
Timeframe: Baseline-3-6-12 months
Infection rate
Timeframe: Baseline-6-12 months
Feasibility of the trial: number of patients accepting to participate
Timeframe: 12 months
Feasibility of the trial: information about the intervention
Timeframe: 12 months
Feasibility of the trial: registration of difficulties
Timeframe: 12 months
Feasibility of the trial: Number of drop-outs in each group
Timeframe: 12 months