Trial Outcomes & Findings for Imaging Biomarkers of Lymphatic Dysfunction (NCT NCT03760744)

NCT ID: NCT03760744

Last Updated: 2025-10-16

Results Overview

BIS is a noninvasive technology measuring the resistance and reactance of tissue across multiple electrical frequencies using the Impedimed U400 device. By distinguishing ICF from ECF, BIS allows sensitive detection of ECF accumulation, a hallmark of lymphedema. Impedimed's proprietary calculations convert impedance ratios of limbs (involved vs unaffected) into a single output known as LDEX (lymphedema index) with an output normal range of -10 to +10. In situations of overt signs of lymphedema, the LDEX value could be up to 120. This single output value (LDEX) is used in lymphedema research and clinical care to monitor lymphedema progress and response to lymphedema therapy. The LDEX outcome in this study represents the change in LDEX value of the arms from study baseline and at 6-8 weeks following the completion of therapy where a negative value shows a positive response from the therapy intervention by indicating a reduction in the LDEX value.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

18 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

At baseline and at 6-8 weeks following the completion of therapy

Results posted on

2025-10-16

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
CDT Alone First, Then CDT With Negative Pressure
A total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) of CDT alone without LymphaTouch was administered for 6 weeks. After a six month washout participants were brought back in for another 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) administered over 6 weeks of CDT with Negative Pressure. CDT alone: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance. conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance CDT with LymphaTouch for 6 weeks, total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) CDT with Negative Pressure: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) in conjunction with manual intervention of graded negative pressure application for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance.
CDT With Negative Pressure First, Then CDT Alone
A total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) of CDT alone with LymphaTouch negative pressure was administered for 6 weeks. After a six month washout participants were brought back in for another 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) administered over 6 weeks of CDT without Negative Pressure. CDT alone: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance. conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance CDT with LymphaTouch for 6 weeks, total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) CDT with Negative Pressure: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) in conjunction with manual intervention of graded negative pressure application for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance.
Overall Study
STARTED
9
9
Overall Study
COMPLETED
6
9
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
3
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
CDT Alone First, Then CDT With Negative Pressure
A total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) of CDT alone without LymphaTouch was administered for 6 weeks. After a six month washout participants were brought back in for another 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) administered over 6 weeks of CDT with Negative Pressure. CDT alone: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance. conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance CDT with LymphaTouch for 6 weeks, total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) CDT with Negative Pressure: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) in conjunction with manual intervention of graded negative pressure application for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance.
CDT With Negative Pressure First, Then CDT Alone
A total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) of CDT alone with LymphaTouch negative pressure was administered for 6 weeks. After a six month washout participants were brought back in for another 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) administered over 6 weeks of CDT without Negative Pressure. CDT alone: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance. conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance CDT with LymphaTouch for 6 weeks, total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) CDT with Negative Pressure: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) in conjunction with manual intervention of graded negative pressure application for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance.
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
3
0

Baseline Characteristics

Imaging Biomarkers of Lymphatic Dysfunction

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
CDT Alone First, Then CDT With Negative Pressure
n=6 Participants
A total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) of CDT alone without LymphaTouch was administered for 6 weeks. After a six month washout period, participants were brought back in for another 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) administered over 6 weeks of CDT with Negative Pressure. CDT alone: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance. CDT with Negative Pressure: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) in conjunction with manual intervention of graded negative pressure application for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance.
CDT With Negative Pressure First, Then CDT Alone
n=9 Participants
A total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) of CDT with LymphaTouch Negative Pressure was administered for 6 weeks. After a six month washout period, participants were brought back in for another 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) administered over 6 weeks of CDT Alone, without Negative Pressure. CDT Alone: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance. CDT with Negative Pressure: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) in conjunction with manual intervention of graded negative pressure application for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance.
Total
n=15 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
6 Participants
n=5 Participants
8 Participants
n=7 Participants
14 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Continuous
49.5 years
n=5 Participants
51.5 years
n=7 Participants
50.5 years
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
6 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=7 Participants
15 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
6 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=7 Participants
15 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
6 participants
n=5 Participants
9 participants
n=7 Participants
15 participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: At baseline and at 6-8 weeks following the completion of therapy

BIS is a noninvasive technology measuring the resistance and reactance of tissue across multiple electrical frequencies using the Impedimed U400 device. By distinguishing ICF from ECF, BIS allows sensitive detection of ECF accumulation, a hallmark of lymphedema. Impedimed's proprietary calculations convert impedance ratios of limbs (involved vs unaffected) into a single output known as LDEX (lymphedema index) with an output normal range of -10 to +10. In situations of overt signs of lymphedema, the LDEX value could be up to 120. This single output value (LDEX) is used in lymphedema research and clinical care to monitor lymphedema progress and response to lymphedema therapy. The LDEX outcome in this study represents the change in LDEX value of the arms from study baseline and at 6-8 weeks following the completion of therapy where a negative value shows a positive response from the therapy intervention by indicating a reduction in the LDEX value.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
CDT Alone
n=30 affected vs unaffected limbs
CDT alone without LymphaTouch for 6 weeks, total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) CDT alone: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance
CDT With Negative Pressure
n=30 affected vs unaffected limbs
CDT with LymphaTouch for 6 weeks, total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) CDT with Negative Pressure: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) in conjunction with manual intervention of graded negative pressure application for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance
Assessing a Change in Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS)
1.3 Change of score on a scale
Standard Deviation 8
1.8 Change of score on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.1

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6-8 weeks following the completion of each therapy (post-intervention)

The Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) was developed as a self-report outcome measure of function that could be used in participants with varying levels of independence. Each participant chose a set of three daily activities and rated the level of ease and comfort with which they could complete them pre and post each intervention. Rating scale starts at 0 (unable to perform activity) and goes to goes up to 10 (able to perform activity at the same level as before injury or problem). The closer to 10, the more favorable the number is.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
CDT Alone
n=15 Participants
CDT alone without LymphaTouch for 6 weeks, total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) CDT alone: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance
CDT With Negative Pressure
n=15 Participants
CDT with LymphaTouch for 6 weeks, total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) CDT with Negative Pressure: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) in conjunction with manual intervention of graded negative pressure application for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance
Assessing a Change in Quality of Life Via Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS)
At baseline (Pre-Intervention)
5.1 PSFS score
Standard Deviation 2.0
5.0 PSFS score
Standard Deviation 1.8
Assessing a Change in Quality of Life Via Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS)
at 6-8 weeks following the completion of each therapy (Post-Intervention)
6.6 PSFS score
Standard Deviation 2.5
7.0 PSFS score
Standard Deviation 1.8

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6-8 weeks following the completion of each therapy ([post intervention )

Population: While participants started in different groups, all 15 analyzed participants went through both arms of the study after a washout period. This number represents all participants who completed both arms of the study.

TDC measures the skin-to-fat water content in tissues. The location was chosen given the propensity of swelling and discomfort in the area for participant population. This measurement compares the TDC value in the affected limb versus the unaffected limb, therefore the closer the TDC measurement difference is to zero, the more favorable the value is.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
CDT Alone
n=30 affected limb versus the unaffected limb
CDT alone without LymphaTouch for 6 weeks, total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) CDT alone: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance
CDT With Negative Pressure
n=30 affected limb versus the unaffected limb
CDT with LymphaTouch for 6 weeks, total of 9 therapy visits (75minutes duration) CDT with Negative Pressure: Complete decongestive therapy (physical therapy conservative intervention of compression, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and exercises) in conjunction with manual intervention of graded negative pressure application for lymphatic stimulation/ tissue clearance
Tissue Dielectric Constant (TDC) Measurement Difference Above the Elbow
At Baseline (Pre-Intervention)
9.8 TDC % change
Standard Deviation 10.8
9.4 TDC % change
Standard Deviation 9.7
Tissue Dielectric Constant (TDC) Measurement Difference Above the Elbow
6-8 weeks following the completion of each therapy (Post-Intervention)
8.9 TDC % change
Standard Deviation 9.5
4.8 TDC % change
Standard Deviation 5.8

Adverse Events

CDT Alone

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

CDT With Negative Pressure

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Dr. Manus J. Donahue

Vanderbilt Medical Center

Phone: 615.322.8350

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place