Passive exercises in the treatment of lower limb lymphedema

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a clinical condition associated with a deficiency in the formation and/or drainage of lymph. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the difference in the reduction of lymphedema between one and two hours of continuous use of the RAGodoy & REG; device. METHODS: A blind clinical trial was conducted involving 60 patients with lower limb lymphedema randomly allocated to two groups of 30 individuals. Group I was submitted to one hour of passive exercises using the RAGodoy & REG; device. Group II was submitted to two hours of passive exercises using the same device. Comparisons were performed using the paired t-test. RESULTS: No significant difference in volumetry was found between groups prior to treatment (P=0.68). A significant reduction occurred in both groups after treatment compared to the baseline evaluation (P=0.0001 in each group). The mean difference was 76.1 mL after one hour of exercise and 104.33 mL after two hours, corresponding to an additional 28.23 grams (P=0.04, paired t-test). CONCLUSIONS: Passive plantar flexion and extension exercises performed using the RAGodoy & REG; electromechanical device enables a continu-ous reduction in the volume of the edema for a period of two hours. Clinical implication: This is a form of therapy that can be used for several hours in the treatment of lymphedema.