Short-Term Changes in Lower Extremity Volume After Radiofrequency Diathermy in Women with Idiopathic Lower Extremity Edema: A Randomized Crossover Trial
4 affiliations
- 1Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
- 2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
- 3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
- 4Department of Convergence Medical Science, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan 50612, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
Abstract
Background: Idiopathic lower extremity edema, characterized by recurrent swelling without an identifiable underlying disease or medication-related cause, is associated with altered fluid distribution and peripheral circulation. Radiofrequency diathermy (RFD) may influence local thermal and circulatory conditions; however, its short-term effects on edema-related parameters remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term changes in lower extremity volume and related physiological measures following RFD in women with idiopathic lower extremity edema. Methods: A randomized, assessor-blinded, sham-controlled crossover study was conducted in 14 women with idiopathic lower extremity edema. Participants received both active RFD and sham treatments once daily for three consecutive sessions, with the two treatment periods separated by a 4-week washout period. Leg volume, circumference, body weight, pain intensity, and skin temperature were measured before and after each session. Results: Compared with the sham condition, the active condition was associated with greater reductions in right leg volume (active: −104.0 mL; sham: −14.5 mL; p = 0.013) and left leg volume (active: −81.1 mL; sham: +17.4 mL; p < 0.001). Compared with sham, the active condition also showed greater reductions in pain intensity, body weight, and right calf circumference (all adjusted p < 0.05) and greater skin temperature increases in all regions except the bilateral anterior thighs (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: In women with idiopathic lower extremity edema, the active condition was associated with greater short-term reductions in bilateral leg volume than the sham condition, accompanied by changes in skin temperature and related physiological measures.
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BibTeX
@article{baik2026shortterm,
title = {{Short-Term Changes in Lower Extremity Volume After Radiofrequency Diathermy in Women with Idiopathic Lower Extremity Edema: A Randomized Crossover Trial}},
author = {Ji Soo Baik and Cherrie Ahn and Sung Hwa Ko and Jung-Lim Lee and Ji Hong Min and Yong-Il Shin},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15207974},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/20/7974},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Short-Term Changes in Lower Extremity Volume After Radiofrequency Diathermy in Women with Idiopathic Lower Extremity Edema: A Randomized Crossover Trial
AU - Ji Soo Baik
AU - Cherrie Ahn
AU - Sung Hwa Ko
AU - Jung-Lim Lee
AU - Ji Hong Min
AU - Yong-Il Shin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15207974
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/20/7974
AB - Background: Idiopathic lower extremity edema, characterized by recurrent swelling without an identifiable underlying disease or medication-related cause, is associated with altered fluid distribution and peripheral circulation. Radiofrequency diathermy (RFD) may influence local thermal and circulatory conditions; however, its short-term effects on edema-related parameters remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term changes in lower extremity volume and related physiological measures following RFD in women with idiopathic lower extremity edema. Methods: A randomized, assessor-blinded, sham-controlled crossover study was conducted in 14 women with idiopathic lower extremity edema. Participants received both active RFD and sham treatments once daily for three consecutive sessions, with the two treatment periods separated by a 4-week washout period. Leg volume, circumference, body weight, pain intensity, and skin temperature were measured before and after each session. Results: Compared with the sham condition, the active condition was associated with greater reductions in right leg volume (active: −104.0 mL; sham: −14.5 mL; p = 0.013) and left leg volume (active: −81.1 mL; sham: +17.4 mL; p < 0.001). Compared with sham, the active condition also showed greater reductions in pain intensity, body weight, and right calf circumference (all adjusted p < 0.05) and greater skin temperature increases in all regions except the bilateral anterior thighs (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: In women with idiopathic lower extremity edema, the active condition was associated with greater short-term reductions in bilateral leg volume than the sham condition, accompanied by changes in skin temperature and related physiological measures.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -