Lymphatic System Stimulation in Heart Failure

Study Summary

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to obtain preliminary data on the effects of lymphatic exercise training in patients with heart failure. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: 1. Does performing lymphatic exercise decrease fluid overload symptoms (shortness of breath, lower legs swelling, fatigue), thoracic fluid content, and body fluid level? 2. Does performing lymphatic exercise improve sleep and quality of life (QOL)? Participants with heart failure will be randomly assigned into two groups: Group 1 will receive training on lymphatic exercises, and will perform these training for 4 weeks. This group will also be trained to monitor daily their weight, heart rate and blood pressure, and fluid overload symptoms. Group 2 will be trained to daily monitor their weight, heart rate and blood pressure, and fluid overload symptoms. This group will not perform the lymphatic exercises. Researchers will compare the two groups at the baseline and after delivering the 4 week-interventions to see 1. if lymphatic exercise helped decrease symptoms associated with fluid overload like shortness of breath, lower leg swelling, and fatigue. 2. if lymphatic exercises decreased thoracic fluid content and total body fluid level . 3. if the lymphatic exercise helped improve sleep and quality of life (QOL).

Primary Outcome

Fluid overload symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing when lying flat, cough, lack of energy, swelling of legs or ankles, and waking up breathless at nigh swelling of the lower extremities. These symptoms are measured by The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale - Heart Failure (MSAS-HF). Individual scores are summed for each symptom present, rating frequency, severity, and distress to obtain a total symptom score for each symptom with a possible range of 0-13. Higher scores indi

Conditions Studied

Interventions

• BEHAVIORAL The Optimal Lymph FLow (TOLF)
• BEHAVIORAL Daily Monitoring

Study Locations (1)