Evaluation of lymph drainage using bioelectrical impedance of the body.

AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of manual and mechanical lymph drainage on the bioelectrical composition of body tissues of patients with lymphoedema of the lower limbs. METHOD Twenty-one patients with lymphoedema of one leg were evaluated using single frequency bioelectrical impedance with four electrodes (SF-BIA4) immediately before and after a combination of manual and mechanical lymph drainage. Statistical analysis used the two-tailed paired t-test with an alpha error of 5% being considered acceptable. RESULTS On comparing the results before and after lymph drainage, statistically significant differences were identified for both lymphoedematous and apparently healthy legs, but there were no significant differences in the alterations caused by the treatment between the healthy and lymphoedematous limbs of the same patient. CONCLUSION It was concluded that the association of manual and mechanical lymph drainage both modified the body composition as identified by bioelectrical impedance, and reduced the oedema.