An Advanced Pneumatic Compression Therapy System Improves Leg Volume and Fluid, Adipose Tissue Thickness, Symptoms, and Quality of Life and Reduces Risk of Lymphedema in Women with Lipedema
Herbst KL, Zelaya C, Sommerville M, Zimmerman T, McHutchison L. An Advanced Pneumatic Compression Therapy System Improves Leg Volume and Fluid, Adipose Tissue Thickness, Symptoms, and Quality of Life and Reduces Risk of Lymphedema in Women with Lipedema. Life (Basel). 2025 Apr 30;15(5):725. doi: 10.3390/life15050725. PMID: 40430153; PMCID: PMC12113227. This study found that using an advanced pneumatic compression device at home for 30 days helped women with lipedema reduce leg fluid, tissue thickness, pain, swelling, and heaviness, while improving quality of life.
In this study, 46 women with mostly Stage 2 lipedema wore daily compression leggings; half also used the Lympha Press Optimal Plus advanced pneumatic compression device at home for 1–2 hours per day for 30 days, while the other half did not use the device. The researchers measured leg size, fluid levels, tissue thickness, symptoms, mobility, and quality of life before and after treatment. After one month, women who used the Lympha Press Optimal Plus had less fluid in their legs, a lower measured risk of developing lymphedema, and reduced thickness of lipedema-affected tissue (measured by ultrasound) in several areas of the thighs, knees, and calves. They also reported meaningful improvements in tenderness, aching, burning or stinging, heaviness, swelling/tightness, walking difficulty, easy bruising, and overall quality of life. The women who used compression leggings alone had fewer improvements, mainly some reduction in swelling and select quality-of-life measures. Overall, the study suggests that advanced pneumatic compression with Lympha Press Optimal Plus can be a helpful conservative treatment option for women with lipedema, especially for symptoms such as pain, heaviness, and swelling. Quote from study: “The advanced pneumatic compression device used in this study for 30 days by women with lipedema who also wore 20–30 mm Hg compression leggings daily significantly reduced tissue fluid and subcutaneous adipose tissue depth and improved quality of life, pain, and leg symptoms over women who wore compression garments alone. Advanced pneumatic compression devices should be considered for the conservative care of women with lipedema who present with symptoms of leg heaviness, swelling, and pain.”
