Aquatic vs. land-based exercise for lipedema in women
Official title: Effects of Aquatic and Land-Based Exercise on Functional, Clinical, and Lymphatic Outcomes in Women With Lipedema: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Cairo University · NCT07756463 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether supervised pool workouts or equivalent land-based exercise improve walking ability and symptoms more than standard care for women with lipedema.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 35 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Cairo University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Giza, Dokki) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 27, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 2, 2027 |
| Study ends | October 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07756463 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are women with lipedema for at least five years, with stage 2 or 3 disease and BMI 25–<40, who can walk independently and have medical clearance for moderate exercise.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with active major health issues or lymphedema that exclude pool use may not benefit from aquatic therapy or may not experience improvement.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
In this 12-week interventional study, women with moderate-to-severe lipedema are assigned to one of three protocols: supervised aquatic therapy, equivalent land-based exercise, or usual care. Researchers measure walking endurance, tissue composition, fluid levels, pain, and overall well-being to determine which environment provides the greatest benefit. The study uses structured, moderate-intensity exercise and aims to see if water-based activity offers advantages due to buoyancy and hydrostatic forces. Lipedema is characterized by painful, fibrotic limb tissue with functional and psychosocial impacts, and there is currently no biomarker-based diagnostic test. The trial is conducted at Cairo University, within the Faculty of Physical Therapy in Giza/Dokki.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could identify a preferred exercise environment to reduce pain and improve function for lipedema patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in similar approaches has shown potential benefits of supervised exercise for lipedema symptoms, though hydrotherapy-specific evidence is limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Women diagnosed with lipedema for at least five years * Had stage 2 or 3 and type 2 or 3 disease * Had a body mass index of ≥25 and \<40 kg/m² * Able to walk independently, with or without their usual assistive device * Had received medical clearance to participate in moderate-intensity aquatic and land-based exercise * Able to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Had clinically significant lymphedema, uncontrolled chronic venous insufficiency, acute thrombosis, or another major cause of lower-limb edema * Had open wounds, active skin infection, fever, or another infectious condition incompatible with pool use * Had uncontrolled cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, or neurological disorder that could compromise exercise safety; a cardiac pacemaker or congestive heart failure; pregnancy; active cancer or ongoing chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiotherapy * Had history of bariatric surgery, recent major surgery, or liposuction; current use of weight-loss medication * Had current participation in structured aquatic or lower-limb exercise exceeding the protocol-defined threshold; or severe fear of water or inability to enter and exit the pool safely.
Where it's running
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Faculty of Physical Therapy
Giza, Dokki, Egypt Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ebtesam N Nagy — Cairo University
- Study coordinator: Ebtesam N Nagy
- Email: dr.ebtesamnagy2@outlook.com
- Phone: 0201278141946
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Comparison of body composition in lipedema and obesity
This study tests whether women with lipedema have different segmental body fat and muscle distribution compared with BMI-matched women without lipedema.
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taVNS-enriched rehab for lipedema
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Manual and self-lymphatic drainage with exercise for lipedema
This study tests whether manual lymph drainage plus supervised exercise works better than self-lymph drainage plus guided activity for reducing pain and improving function in women with lipedema over six weeks.
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Turkish version of the Duke Activity Status Index in women with lipedema
This study tests whether the Turkish Duke Activity Status Index accurately and consistently measures functional capacity in women with lipedema.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.