ORIGINAL PAPER
Effects of the association of physical exercises and self-drainage in the treatment of cellulite
1
Department Physiotherapy, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Vercelli, Italy
2
KERN School of Osteopathy and Manual Therapy, Milano, Italy
3
International Research Group – Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
4
Department Physiotherapy, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca Milan, Italy
5
Department Nutrition, Università Degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
6
Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Universidade Brasil, São Paulo, Brazil
Submission date: 2024-01-10
Acceptance date: 2024-06-14
Publication date: 2025-03-20
Corresponding author
Ana Laura Martins de Andrade
Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Universidade Brasil, Rua Carolina Fonseca, 584 Itaquera, São Paulo SP, 08230-030, Brazil
Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Engineering, Universidade Brasil, Rua Carolina Fonseca, 584 Itaquera, São Paulo SP, 08230-030, Brazil
Physiother Quart. 2025;33(1):101-108
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Cellulite is a descriptive term used to characterise the topographic alteration of the skin, with a high prevalence in females. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) stands out as a technique that, when used alone or associated with other techniques such as exercises and/or physical activities, improves the general appearance of this condition. To evaluate the effects of self-MLD associated with supervised kinetic exercises in the treatment of cellulite and improvement in the quality of life of patients.
Methods:
We included 50 participants, randomly divided into two groups: a control group of only diet and an exercise and MLD group (EMG) with diet. The participants were evaluated using a questionnaire evaluating the quality of life (Celluqol), electrical bioimpedance, body anthropometric measurements, and satisfaction analysis with the questionnaire GAIS.
Results:
Significant improvement was observed in the quality of life of the EMG, in addition to presenting a significant reduction in %BF and analysed anthropometric measurements. In addition, evaluations regarding patient satisfaction showed significant improvements in the EMG.
Conclusions:
Through the data presented, it is possible to conclude that the diet with caloric restriction associated with self-MLD promotes a significant improvement in individuals with cellulite.
Cellulite is a descriptive term used to characterise the topographic alteration of the skin, with a high prevalence in females. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) stands out as a technique that, when used alone or associated with other techniques such as exercises and/or physical activities, improves the general appearance of this condition. To evaluate the effects of self-MLD associated with supervised kinetic exercises in the treatment of cellulite and improvement in the quality of life of patients.
Methods:
We included 50 participants, randomly divided into two groups: a control group of only diet and an exercise and MLD group (EMG) with diet. The participants were evaluated using a questionnaire evaluating the quality of life (Celluqol), electrical bioimpedance, body anthropometric measurements, and satisfaction analysis with the questionnaire GAIS.
Results:
Significant improvement was observed in the quality of life of the EMG, in addition to presenting a significant reduction in %BF and analysed anthropometric measurements. In addition, evaluations regarding patient satisfaction showed significant improvements in the EMG.
Conclusions:
Through the data presented, it is possible to conclude that the diet with caloric restriction associated with self-MLD promotes a significant improvement in individuals with cellulite.
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