Randomized controlled trial on Dryland And Thermal Aquatic STANDARDIZED EXERCISE PROTOCOL FOR CHRONIC VENOUS DISEASE (DATA study).

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE The present investigation aim is to compare the effect of a standardized exercise protocol in thermal aquatic immersion versus dryland on chronic venous disease (CVD) patients. METHODS Thirty-four CVD patients (C3,Ep,As,Pr) were included in the study and randomly assigned to perform a standardized exercise protocol in a dryland environment (DL group) or in a thermal water (TW group) from a natural hot spring at 33° Celsius with a high mineral content. Leg volumetry, ankle range of motion (ROM), ultrasound-detected subcutaneous tissue and great saphenous vein (GSV) diameter were assessed. Quality of life was measured by VVSymQ and CIVIQ 20. RESULTS After 5 TW sessions the average volume reduction was - 432.4±122.4 mL (P After 5 sessions, ankle ROM significantly increased in both groups, both in dorsiflexion (dors) and in plantarflexion (plant) (right leg: TWdors P 2 =0.80, R2=0.75, P 2 =0.82, R2=0.81, P VVSymQ and CIVQ20 scores significantly improved in TW (P CONCLUSIONS Thermal aquatic immersion enhances the clinical benefits of a standardized exercise protocol for CVD patients. Compared to the data already available in literature on non-thermal water, the present investigation shows a potential role of higher density types of water in lower limb volume control. An intense and rigorous data collection is needed in order to progress from empiricism to evidence-based science in the potentially very useful aquatic environment for CVD management.