Effect of High Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Lymphedema

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of High-Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in combination with Complex Decongestive Physical Therapy (CDPT) on lower limb lymphedema. Every participant provided informed consent for the randomized controlled trial. The trial was conducted at Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital and High-Top Clinic in Egypt. 60 patients with secondary lower limb lymphedema, ages 35 to 65, were involved in the trial and were split into two groups at random. Group A received CDPT and High-Frequency TENS, while Group B received CDPT only. Both interventions were administered thrice weekly for eight weeks. A non-flexible tape was used to assess the limb girth as the major result; the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (LYMQOL) was used as a secondary outcome. ANOVA tests were used in the statistical analysis to compare the pre and post-treatment outcomes within and across groups. The findings revealed that both groups had significantly lower limb girth and improved LYMQOL scores, with Group A showing more improvements than Group B (p < 0.05). The results indicate that for patients with lower limb lymphedema, the combination of High-Frequency TENS and CDPT is superior to CDPT alone in terms of limb girth reduction and improved quality of life. This combination of therapies may be a useful strategy for treating lymphedema and enhancing patient outcomes.