Thesis Type: Postgraduate
Institution Of The Thesis: Gazi University, Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, FİZYOTERAPİ VE REHABİLİTASYON ANABİLİM DALI, Turkey
Approval Date: 2018
Thesis Language: Turkish
Student: BUSE KÜPELİ
Supervisor: İlke Keser
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate how proprioception of the knee joint is affected in patients with stage I bilateral lower limb lymphedema. 30 patients with lymphedema and 30 healthy volunteers were compared in the study. The proprioception sensation of both knee joints of the participants was evaluated with the Cybex isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex NORM®, Humac, CA, USA) at 30 and 60 degree knee flexion angles. The range of motion of the hip, knee and ankle joints was measured with a universal goniometer (Baseline®). The circumference of the lower extremities was evaluated with a non-stretched tape measure. TANITA BC 418 device was used to evaluate body composition. There was no significant difference in proprioception sense and range of motion between the groups (p> 0.05). The measurement values of the patient group in the lower extremity were significantly higher in both legs than in the control group (p <0.001). The total amount of water in the body of the patient group was higher than the control group in body composition assessment (p = 0.024). The results of the study demonstrated that proprioception and range of motion were not affected in stage I bilateral lower limb lymphedema, yet. This study revealed the need for repeated measurements through the process in the lymphedema, a progressive and chronic condition, in order to determine the change in proprioceptive sense immediately, in the context of the protective physiotherapy practice. In the case of lymphoedema, which is a progressive and chronic disease, it is necessary to determine the change in this sense by further studies within the scope of preventive physiotherapy applications.
Key Words
: Proprioception, Lymphedema, Lower Limb