Lymphatic Massage for Long-COVID
Reducing fatigue-related symptoms in Long COVID-19: a preliminary report of a lymphatic drainage intervention
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0049017224000957
Study Summary
This pilot study investigated the effects of a specific manual lymphatic drainage intervention (Perrin Technique) on fatigue-related symptoms in patients with Long COVID. The intervention involved weekly manual therapy sessions and daily self-massage along with gentle mobility exercises. The study found that the intervention led to a significant reduction in fatigue-related symptoms, as measured by the Profile of Fatigue-Related States (PFRS) questionnaire.
Key Findings
Reduction in Fatigue: The intervention resulted in a 41.8% reduction in PFRS scores in men and a 60.5% reduction in women.
Improvement Across All Subscales: All PFRS subscales (emotional distress, cognitive difficulty, fatigue, and somatic symptoms) showed a similar reduction of approximately 50% post-intervention.
Greatest Improvement in Fatigue: The highest subscale scores on average were for fatigue, indicating that fatigue was the most prominent symptom.
Potential for Preventing Chronic Symptoms: The study suggests that early intervention with this lymphatic drainage technique may help prevent acute Long COVID symptoms from becoming chronic.
Why It Matters
This study is relevant to chronic condition management as it explores a manual treatment option for Long COVID. It suggests that a specific manual lymphatic drainage intervention could be a useful tool to incorporate into rehabilitation plans.
What This Means for Managing Symptoms
Consider Lymphatic Drainage: If you have Long COVID and are experiencing fatigue, talk to your doctor or an occupational therapist about the possibility of trying a manual lymphatic drainage intervention.
Early Intervention May Be Key: The study suggests that early intervention may be most effective in preventing chronic symptoms.
Combine with Other Strategies: Lymphatic drainage may be most effective when combined with other self-management strategies, such as activity pacing, stress management techniques, and healthy lifestyle habits.
Citation
Heald, A. H., Perrin, R., Walther, A., Stedman, M., Hann, M., Mukherjee, A., & Riste, L. (2022). Reducing fatigue-related symptoms in Long COVID-19: a preliminary report of a lymphatic drainage intervention. Cardiovascular Endocrinology & Metabolism, 11, e0261