Comparison of gait parameters, functionality and health status in patients with lower extremity lymphedema and healthy controls

ObjectivesTo compare gait parameters, functionality (muscle strength, balance, exercise capacity) and health status (kinesiophobia, fatigue, quality of life) in lower extremity lymphedema patients and healthy controls and to determine correlations between exercise capacity, gait parameters, muscle strength, balance, quality of life and lymphedema severity.MethodsTwenty-two lymphedema patients and 20 healthy controls participated in the study. Participants' demographic and medical characteristics were recorded. Muscle strength, endurance, balance, functional exercise capacity, gait parameters, kinesiophobia, fatigue and quality of life were assessed with dynamometer, 30-s chair stand test, Biodex, 6-min walk test (6MWT), 8-m test (8-MWT), Tampa Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale and Short Form-36, respectively.ResultsLymphedema patients had lower muscle strength and endurance, 6MWT distance, speed, cadence and stride length, 8-mWT speed, cadence and left stance phase, and higher swing phase-left and single support phase-right compared to healthy controls (<i>p</i> < .05). Balance parameters were worse in lymphedema patients compared to healthy controls (<i>p</i> < .05). Quality of life was lower and kinesiophobia and fatigue levels were higher in lymphedema patients compared to healthy controls (<i>p</i> < .05). Significant correlations were found between 6MWT distance, speed and stride length, 8-mWT speed and stride lengths and lymphedema severity, muscle strength, balance, and quality of life (<i>p</i> < .05). Multiple regression analyses identified balance and lymphedema severity as predictors for 6MWT distance, speed, and stride length.ConclusionsLymphedema patients have reduced muscle strength, exercise capacity, quality of life, and increased kinesiophobia and fatigue. Lymphedema negatively impacts gait and balance. Gait parameters are correlated with muscle strength, balance, quality of life and lymphedema severity in lymphedema patients.