Improving the physical activity level and quality of life of patients with chronic lower limb lymphedema.

Around 20% of the patients develop lower limb lymphedema after cancer treatment, and around 1/4th of all lymphedema patients have primary lymphedema. These patients have significant physical disabilities, as well as psychosocial impairments. The added value of supervised exercise therapy on the physical activity level during the maintenance phase of decongestive lymphatic therapy, has not yet been investigated in these patients. Therefore, I am interested whether the physical activity level can be further improved by supervising the exercises instead of providing the standard care in which physical activity is being stimulated. In case patients benefit from supervised exercises, their physical activity level and consequently health-related quality of life will improve significantly. Additionally, this research would partially address one of the key gaps in literature regarding treatment modalities for lower limb lymphedema.

Keywords:Cancer, Lymphedema, Rehabilitation, Physical activity, Quality of life

Disciplines:Physiotherapy, Vascular diseases