Effects of Exercise on Edema, Pain, Exercise Capacity, Lower Extremity Muscle Strength and Function in Patients with Lipedema

What this Trial Is About

Lipedema is a chronic and progressive condition mainly affecting women, characterized by symmetrical and disproportionate swelling of fat tissue, mostly in the lower limbs and sometimes in the upper limbs. This research evaluates how exercise affects swelling, pain, muscle strength, and function in people with lipedema. The study also collects detailed patient information including body composition, clinical details, and physical assessments related to lipedema. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group. The exercise group will take part in group sessions that include warm-up, exercise, and cool-down periods lasting 40 to 50 minutes, twice weekly for six weeks. They will also perform strengthening exercises targeting hip and knee muscles using elastic resistance bands, adjusted to their effort level, with 3 sets of 10 repetitions twice a week for six weeks. The control group will receive advice about lipedema and physical activity but will not perform the exercise program. During the study, participants will undergo assessments such as measuring local tissue water, swelling, pain intensity and threshold, muscle strength, endurance, exercise capacity, and lower limb function. These assessments will be repeated after six weeks to compare changes. The study monitors these outcomes to understand how exercise may influence symptoms and function in lipedema patients. The total study participation lasts six weeks with evaluations at the beginning and end of this period.

Effects of Exercise in Patients with Lipedema