Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation-Enriched Rehabilitation in Individuals With Lipedema

Resumen breve

Lipedema is a chronic inflammatory disorder of adipose tissue that predominantly affects women and is associated with estrogen-mediated mechanisms. \[1\] Conservative physiotherapy approaches, including exercise, compression therapy, complex decongestive therapy (CDT), and behavioral interventions, are recommended for the management of lipedema. \[2,3\] Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a neuromodulation method that may reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway and exert metabolic and autonomic regulatory effects. \[4\] These effects suggest that taVNS may serve as a complementary intervention to exercise and conservative physiotherapy approaches in the management of chronic low-grade inflammation, one of the pathophysiological components of lipedema. In light of this evidence, the aim of this study is to comparatively investigate the effects of taVNS-enhanced rehabilitation versus conventional rehabilitation on lower extremity function, pain, and quality of life in individuals with lipedema.