Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Compression Therapy Combined with Exercises Versus Exercises Only Among Lipedema Patients Using Various Outcome Measures

Abstract

The treatment of lipedema remains challenging, largely due to widespread misconceptions. Selecting the appropriate treatment method necessitates the use of accurate outcome measures. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of compression therapy combined with exercises versus exercises alone in lipedema patients using various outcome measures. Twenty-four women with lipedema were divided into two equal groups: one group received compression therapy plus exercises while the other group performed exercises only. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed before and after the intervention using several measures: an SF-36 questionnaire, a symptom severity survey, circumference (via 3D scanning), and body composition analysis. Significant improvements were observed in the SF-36 Physical Functioning and SF-36 Energy/Fatigue scores among participants in the compression group. Additionally, there was a reduction in the heaviness of extremities, the disproportion between the trunk and limbs, and the level of swelling in the compression therapy. Circumferences decreased in both groups. Although more circumferences were significantly reduced in the compression group, the reduction at the point above the knee was greater in the non-compression group. Compression therapy is an effective treatment for lipedema. Various measures, such as quality-of-life questionnaires and symptom severity surveys, can be used as valuable tools for assessing the effectiveness of lipedema treatment.

Keywords

• lipedema
• lipoedema
• compression therapy
• qualitative measures