1. A specifically designed aquatic exercise protocol to reduce chronic lower limb edema
- Author
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Paolo Zamboni, Anna Maria Malagoni, Savino Occhionorelli, Mirko Tessari, Erica Menegatti, Primo Bacciglieri, Sergio Gianesini, and Nino Basaglia
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Lower limb edema ,Leg swelling ,Chronic venous insufficiency ,lymphoedema ,Physical activity ,Socio-culturale ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,Venous stasis ,03 medical and health sciences ,calf muscle pump function ,0302 clinical medicine ,Chronic venous disease ,chronic venous insufficiency ,venous stasis ,Medicine ,Edema ,Humans ,Prospective Studies ,Range of Motion, Articular ,Aged ,business.industry ,Aquatic exercise ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Exercise Therapy ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Chronic Disease ,Physical therapy ,Female ,Ankle ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business ,Range of motion ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Objective Despite the fact that muscle pump activation is known to positively impact chronic lower limb edema, objective measurements of standardized exercises for venous-lymphatic rehab are lacking. The aim of this investigation is to determine the effectiveness of an addressed physical activity exploiting the advantages of an aquatic environment. Material and methods Thirty-two lower limbs of 16 patients affected by bilateral chronic leg swelling were included (12 females, 4 males). All the patients underwent a protocol of five sessions of physical exercises specifically conceived inside a pool. Volumetry, subcutaneous thickness, ankle range of motion and symptomatology were assessed as outcome measures. Results One week after the end of the protocol, the average reduction in lower limb volume was 303.13 ± 69.72 ml ( p = 0.00002) and 334.38 ± 62.50 ml ( p = 0.000003) in the right and left legs, respectively. Ankle range of motion and feeling of heaviness significantly improved. Conclusion A specifically designed aquatic protocol is able to positively impact chronic leg swelling offering a first line rehab for this medical condition.
- Published
- 2017