Investigation of the Effects of High-Intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on Limb Volume, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life in Patients With Lipedema

Summary

This randomized controlled clinical study aims to investigate and compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), when combined with intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy, on limb volume, functional capacity, pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life in women with lipedema.

Lipedema is a chronic, progressive adipose tissue disorder primarily affecting women, characterized by abnormal and symmetrical fat accumulation in the lower extremities that does not improve with weight loss or limb elevation. It is often misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema, leading to delayed treatment. Lipedema causes pain, swelling, bruising, mobility limitation, and reduced quality of life.

Conservative treatment options include compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and exercise. IPC is a non-invasive treatment used to reduce limb volume and pain while improving function and quality of life. Exercise is also a cornerstone of conservative management, but the optimal exercise intensity for lipedema remains unclear.

In this study, 69 female patients aged 18-65 years diagnosed with lipedema according to Halk and Damstra criteria will be randomly assigned into three groups:

IPC + Home-based walking program

IPC + High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

IPC + Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)

All participants will receive 15 IPC sessions (3 times per week for 5 weeks). The exercise programs (HIIT or MICT) will continue for 10 weeks, supervised by a physiotherapist. The home-based group will be encouraged to walk ≥10,000 steps daily using a pedometer application.

Primary outcome: Change in limb volume measured by circumferential measurements and the truncated cone formula.

Secondary outcomes: Pain (VAS), functional capacity (6-Minute Walk Test), muscle strength (dynamometry), pressure pain threshold (algometry), physical activity (IPAQ-SF), lower extremity function (LEFS), quality of life (SF-12), sleep quality (PSQI), fatigue (FSS), and anxiety/depression (HADS).

Measurements will be taken at baseline (T0), after 15 IPC sessions (T1), and after 30 total sessions or 10 weeks (T2).

The investigators hypothesize that both HIIT and MICT combined with IPC will provide superior improvements in physical and psychological outcomes compared to IPC with a home-based walking program alone.

Conditions

• Lipedema
• Exercise Therapy
• High Intensity Interval Training

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Home-Based Walking Program

Participants perform ≥10,000 steps/day using PACER pedometer app; encouraged through exercise logs and follow-up.

BEHAVIORAL

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Supervised cycling-based interval exercise, 3×/week for 10 weeks, individualized by GCT-TT protocol.

BEHAVIORAL

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT)

Supervised continuous cycling exercise, 3×/week for 10 weeks, at 50% GCT-TT power output.

DEVICE

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC)

Applied to both lower limbs for 30 minutes at 50 mmHg, 3 times per week for 5 weeks using DoctorLife LX7 Max device. Used in all study arms.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marmara University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Yeliz BAHAR ÖZDEMİR, Associate Professor · Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-12-25

Primary Completion

2026-06-01

Completion

2026-07-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations