ArticleLymphatic research and biology2014
The effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression in long-term therapy of lymphedema of lower limbs.
Article in Lymphatic research and biology, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 38 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
38 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 94 citations in OpenAlex.
- A systematic review of contemporary randomized controlled trials for treatment of lower extremity lymphedema by intermittent pneumatic compression devices.Journal of vascular surgery. Venous and lymphatic disorders · 2026Pooled it
- Lipedema: Progress, Challenges, and the Road Ahead.Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2025Pooled it
- Lymphedema management in patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials on physical therapy interventions.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025Pooled it
- [S1 guideline on intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC)].Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete · 2018Guideline
- Impact of text reminders on pneumatic compression device (PCD) compliance in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023Trial
- Ultrasound elastography and 3D volumetry for early postoperative assessment after lymphovenous anastomosis in lower-limb lymphedema.Innovative surgical sciences · 2026Article
- Effect of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Device on Limb Edema in Immediate Postoperative Stroke Patients.Cureus · 2026Article
- Lymphedema: current treatment strategies and future directions in tissue engineering.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Review
- Effects of compression therapy on the upper limb of patients with stroke: a systematic review protocol.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Prevention and Treatment of Postmastectomy Lymphedema: A Physiotherapy Perspective.Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) · 2025Review
- Patient-specific numerical simulation of compression therapy effects on interstitial fluid motion in lower limb lymphedema.Biomechanics and modeling in mechanobiology · 2025Article
- Review
- Surgical Treatment, Rehabilitative Approaches and Functioning Assessment for Patients Affected by Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Comprehensive Review.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025Review
- Predictors of the Efficacy of Lymphedema Decongestive Therapy.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2025Review
- The effect of compression therapies and therapeutic modalities on lymphedema secondary to cancer: a rapid review and evidence map.Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England) · 2024Review
- The Healthspan Project: A Retrospective Pilot of Biomarkers and Biometric Outcomes after a 6-Month Multi-Modal Wellness Intervention.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Therapist versus Machine-Immediate Effects of Manual versus Mechanical Lymphatic Drainage in Patients with Secondary Lymphedema.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Article
- Therapeutic Lymphangiogenesis Is a Promising Strategy for Secondary Lymphedema.International journal of molecular sciences · 2023Review
- MRI of Lymphedema.Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI · 2023Review
- Intermittent Pneumatic Compression for the Treatment of Lower Limb Lymphedema: A Pilot Trial of Sequencing to Mimic Manual Lymphatic Drainage Versus Traditional Graduated Sequential Compression.Lymphatic research and biology · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe manual lymphatic drainage in lymphedema has proved to be successful; however, this method cannot be applied to millions of patients around the world. The only solution is to offer inexpensive, easily accessible mechanical devices for pneumatic compression (IPC). These devices should be designed on parameters of edema fluid hydromechanics. Recent data point to high pressures and long time of compression.
aimTo validate the effects of 3 years daily high pressure, long inflation time IPC therapy in terms of decrease of limb circumference/volume, tissue elasticity, histological changes, and incidental complications.
methodsA group of 18 patients with unilateral leg lymphedema stage II to IV was treated for a period of 3 years using an 8-chamber sleeve, sequential inflation of chambers to 100-120 mmHg for 50 sec (total 400 sec). Limb circumference and tissue tonicity were measured at monthly intervals. Correlation between decrease in calf and thigh circumference and increase in elasticity was done.
resultsThe treatment revealed durable permanent decrease of limb circumference and increased elasticity of tissues. The improvement was most expressed in the calf above the ankle and mid-calf. No complications as thigh ring or chronic genital edema were observed. There was no direct correlation between the decrease in limb circumference and increase in elasticity, most likely due to different mass of fibrous tissue.
conclusionsIPC takes over the permanently missing function of the obliterated lymphatics by squeezing edema tissue fluid to the regions with normal lymphatic drainage. The limb circumference is decreased or at least does not further increase, elasticity of tissue is increased and maintained. No complications in limb tissues were observed. The long-term, high pressure IPC, long inflation timed therapy can be safely be recommended to patients with lower limb lymphedema.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.