Table 1.
Mean changes in least square mean (LSM) from pre-intervention to post-intervention for lower-limb volume and general and skin symptoms
| Outcomes | Mean change (95%CI) | P | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-load AECT | Low-load AECT | CT | P1 | P2 | P3 | Overall P | |
| Lower-limb volume | 62.5 ± 15.3 (31.7–93.3) | 50.0 ± 15.2 (19.5–80.6) | 18.5 ± 15.0 (−11.6–48.6) | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.48 | 0.042 |
| Pain | 32.8 ± 8.9 (15.0–50.6) | 24.1 ± 8.9 (6.4–41.7) | 12.0 ± 8.6 (−5.4–29.2) | 0.09 | 0.31 | 0.47 | 0.22 |
| Heaviness | 47.2 ± 7.8 (34.2–65.6) | 43.4 ± 7.7 (27.9–60.0) | 33.5 ± 7.6 (18.2–48.9) | 0.06 | 0.24 | 0.44 | 0.15 |
| Skin stiffness | 2.1 ± 1.4 (−0.7–4.9) | 0.0 ± 1.4 (−2.8–2.8) | 0.0 ± 1.4 (−2.7–2.7) | 0.29 | 1.00 | 0.29 | 0.47 |
| Pitting | 4.4 ± 2.3 (−0.2–9.1) | 3.7 ± 2.3 (−0.9–8.3) | 5.5 ± 2.3 (1.0–10.0) | 0.72 | 0.56 | 0.82 | 0.84 |
Mean changes in LSM were estimated on the basis of analyses of variance using linear mixed-effect modeling. LSM changes of lower-limb volume and percentage changes in general symptoms including pain and heaviness and skin symptoms including skin stiffness and pitting edema were calculated as effects of intervention
P1 high-load AECT versus CT, P2 low-load AECT versus CT, P3 high-load AECT versus low-load AECT, High-load AECT bicycle ergometer with compression therapy, with intensity set at 10% of maximum extension muscular strength of the lower limb, Low-load AECT bicycle ergometer with compression therapy, with intensity set at 5% of maximum extension muscular strength of the lower limb, CT compression-only therapy, LSM least square mean, CI confidence interval. AECT active exercise with compression therapy, CT compression-only therapy