Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Lymphedema is a condition that is characterized by severe swelling of the arms, legs, head, neck, or trunk, and is caused by excessive fluid accumulation. This condition commonly occurs in the lower-limb in women treated for gynecological cancers. Despite this, lymphedema is one of the most understudied consequences of cancer treatment. Problems that develop as a result of lymphedema include limited movement ability and touch sensation of the affected area, pain, and a general sense of fatigue. Recent research has shown that women with lymphedema in the upper-limb may also have difficulties maintaining balance while standing; and lymphedema symptoms are thought to be the cause. Despite this, there is currently no information regarding balance in women with lower-limb lymphedema. The main objective of this project is to investigate the effects of lower limb lymphedema on a task that requires balance: gait. We will study spatiotemporal and muscle activation patterns during walking in women with with lower-limb lymphedema as a result of gynecological cancer treatment compared to age-matched healthy women. We will also asses how gait patterns may link to the risk of falling, ability to complete activities of daily living, and overall quality of life in this population. To our knowledge, this will be the first study to assess the impact of lower-limb lymphedema on walking abilities. Women with lymphedema experience similar problems as other populations who are known to have an increased fall risk such as those with neurological disorders, and lower-limb amputations; this work will contribute to our understanding of the factors that alter balance and influence fall risk in these women.