Feasibility and Potential Benefits of Moderate Intensity Cycling in People Living with Lower Limb Lymphedema: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

The aim of this pilot randomized con-trolled trial (RCT) was to assess the feasibility of a moderate intensity cycling intervention in persons with lower limb lymphedema (LLL) and to explore its potential benefits. Thirty-three participants were included for an 8-week intervention of home-based exercise and randomized to an intervention group (IG) with cycling 3-5 times a week, 30-60 minutes, or to a control group (CG). Feasibility was assessed by recruitment and retention rates, adherence to training protocol, and adverse events. Potential benefits were physical fitness (submaximal bicycle ergometer test), volume, local tissue water, impedance of extracellular fluid, lymphedema-related disability (Lymph-ICF-LL) and health-related quality of life (Lymphedema Quality of Life Inventory). Assessments were performed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Non-parametric analyses were used. Twenty-seven participants (IG=16; CG=11), median age 63 years and time with LLL 9 years, completed the trial. Retention to group allocation was 82%, training protocol adherence was 81% and only one adverse event occurred. Significant between-group improvement was found for lymphedema-related disability favoring the IG. Within-group improvements regarding physical fitness, local tissue water and health-related quality of life were found in the IG, but not in the CG. In conclusion, this study shows that moderate intensity cycling is feasible with potential benefits in functioning and health-related quality of life for persons with chronic LLL.