The Rehabilitation Efficacy of Diaphragmatic Breathing Combined with Limb Coordination Training on lower limb Lymphedema following Gynecologic Cancer Surgery Provisionally Accepted
Jing-Xin Wang1
Jiahui Ma1
Yu-Jie Zhang2
Xinxin Wang1
Yu Wang3
Dongquan Xiang4
Daoyu Wang5
Kun Huang6
Luxi Mao6
Jiaxin Zhang6
Huixuan Fan6
Yilan Li6*
- 1Department of Rehabilitation, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, China
- 2Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, China
- 3Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital, China
- 4Department of Orthopedics, Fourth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, China
- 5Academy for Engineering and Technology, Fudan University, China
- 6Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, China
Objective To explore the effect of diaphragmatic breathing combined with limbs training on lower limb lymphedema after gynecological cancer surgery. Methods From January 2022 to May 2022, a total of 60 patients with lower limb lymphedema following gynecologic cancer surgery were selected and divided into a control group (n=30) and a treatment group (n=30). The control group received comprehensive decongestive therapy (CDT) for managing lower limb lymphedema after gynecologic cancer surgery, while the treatment group received diaphragmatic breathing combined with limb coordination training in addition to CDT. Both groups underwent a four-week treatment cycle. The assessment involved the evaluation of lower limb lymphedema symptoms using the Genital, Lower Limb, Buttock, and Abdomen Score (GCLQ), measurements of bilateral lower limb circumference, and anxiety and depression scores. Results Compared with CDT alone, the scores of the self-perceived symptom assessment questionnaire (GCLQ), bilateral lower limb circumference and anxiety and depression scores of patients treated with diaphragmatic breathing combined with limb linkage training were significantly reduced. Conclusion Diaphragmatic breathing combined with limb coordination training can further expedite and enhance the effectiveness of treating lower limb lymphedema following gynecologic cancer surgery.
Keywords: Diaphragmatic breathing, coordination training, Rehabilitation efficacy, Lower limb lymphedema, Gynecologic cancer surgery
Received: 28 Feb 2024;
Accepted: 30 Apr 2024.
Copyright: © 2024 Wang, Ma, Zhang, Wang, Wang, Xiang, Wang, Huang, Mao, Zhang, Fan and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Mx. Yilan Li, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan Province, China