Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

Quad Rivas Therapy has been developed by Alyna Eekma from the Netherlands for over thirteen years; anecdotally she has been able to significantly reduce lipedema SAT in women with Stage 1 and 2 lipedema, and can reduce lipedema SAT by 80% in women with Stage 3 lipedema. The study will last for one month, for a total of 12 treatments per subject, seven subjects total, to see if there is a change in percent body fat percentage over the course of these treatments.


Clinical Trial Description

Lipedema

According to an epidemiological study by Földi E and Földi M, lipedema affects 11% of the female population. Rarely, men with hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency, or liver disease may develop lipedema. Drs. Allen and Hines from the Mayo clinic defined lipedema in 1940 and shortly thereafter provided the diagnostic criteria for lipedema:

1. Almost exclusive occurrence in women developing by the third decade of life

2. Bilateral and symmetrical nature with minimal involvement of the feet, resulting in an ''inverse shouldering'', ''bracelet'' or "cuff" effect at the ankle

3. Minimal pitting edema (non-pitting edema is present)

4. Pain, tenderness, and easy bruising

5. Persistent enlargement despite elevation of the extremities or weight loss.

6. Increased vascular fragility; easy bruising

There are three stages of lipedema Stage 1: Normal skin surface with enlarged hypodermis Stage 2: Uneven skin with a peau d'orange or mattress-like texture with larger mounds of tissue the size of a walnut or apple including the formation of lipomas and angiolipomas, and larger indentations in the fat Stage 3: Much larger mounds or huge lobules of tissue occurs causing deformations especially around the knees

Progression to lymphedema, called lipolymphedema (Stage 4) can develop during any Stage but most commonly occurs in people with Stage 3. Obesity can occur along with lipedema especially in Stage 3. Lifestyle improvements should always be considered for obesity associated with lipedema but lifestyle is not the cause of lipedema nor the cure.

Women with lipedema have an obvious disparity between the larger quantity of gynoid distributed painful fat on the lower body (hips, buttocks, legs) compared to the trunk, head and face resulting in a low waist to hip ratio (WHR). The disparity results from the failure of lipedema SAT to reduce in response to extreme caloric restriction, including bariatric procedures, or intensive daily exercise. It is unclear why there is a drive to maintain lipedema SAT on the body. The SAT begins in typical gynoid locations (hips, buttocks, legs) and few women with lipedema have diabetes or metabolic syndrome suggesting that the lipedema SAT may be protective against cardiovascular disease similar to gynoid fat. However, in addition to being cosmetically devastating to many women, lipedema fat increases the risk of development of mobility issues, joint damage, chronic pain and lymphedema.

Quad Rivas Therapy®

The Quad Rivas Therapy® is a deep tissue "hands on" touch therapy of SAT which treats the body as an anatomical and physiological unit - all areas containing SAT are treated with a focus to improve functioning of blood vasculature, lymph vasculature, nerves, and the biomechanical system (muscle, tendons and fascia). The Quad Rivas Therapy® ensures these four systems are improved, but focuses on the vascular system. Tissues with decreased blood supply due to enlarged SAT mass, fibrosis or fascia disease need manipulation to be able to function properly again, allowing easy flow through the tissue. The Quad Rivas Therapy, therapist uses specialized grip techniques which enable the therapist to 'open' and 'unravel' tissues for an optimal blood supply. Another tissue technique, called the "hook technique" allows the therapist to ensure stimulation of blood flow. Blood vessels gain elasticity back, fibrosis in the veins resolves and the body is able to repair itself.

The Quad Rivas Therapy® theory is that during puberty under the influence of hormones, the lipedema SAT outgrows the ability of muscles to use and break down fat resulting in excess SAT mass. This in combination with vascular, especially venous, insufficiency, which affects many women at a young age, creates a progressive disease that generates a blockage in metabolism associated due to setting up a hypoxic environment for the fat cells. Stimulating the affected area with Quad Rivas Therapy®, focusing on getting vessels back in top condition ensures the disappearance of lipedema SAT.

Quad Rivas Therapy® results in the following:

1. Recovery of the walls of the veins;

2. Increased basal metabolic rate in muscles;

3. Improved condition of the connective tissue. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT02907411
Study type Interventional
Source University of Arizona
Contact
Status Completed
Phase N/A
Start date September 1, 2016
Completion date March 18, 2017

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Completed NCT04492046 - Complex Decongestive Applications in Patients With Lipedema
Completed NCT04643392 - Physiotherapy Applications in Upper Extremity Lipedema
Recruiting NCT05464927 - Visualizing Vascular Mechanisms of Lipedema
Completed NCT06238791 - Plantar Pressure Analysis and Foot Biomechanics in Lipedema and Chronic Venous Disease
Completed NCT03710798 - Effect of an Low Carbon High Fat Diet on Pain- and Quality of Life in Patients With Lipedema N/A
Completed NCT03758651 - Williams Syndrome Strength, Hormones, Activity & Adiposity, DNA Programming, Eating Study
Not yet recruiting NCT04166084 - Trunk Stabilization Exercises at Lipoedema Patients N/A
Recruiting NCT05628948 - Vascular Lab Resource (VLR) Biorepository
Completed NCT05616962 - Collected Data of Medical Food, Vasculera or Diosmiplex, in Clinic Patients 20 to 70 Years Old Diagnosed With Lipedema N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT04632810 - Effect of Ketosis on Pain and Quality of Life in Patients With Lipedema N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT05944796 - Diathermy Effectiveness in Reducing Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Affected by Lipedema N/A
Recruiting NCT05284266 - The National Lipedema Study N/A
Completed NCT04076891 - Treatment of Women With Lipedema Involving Substantial Fat Above the Knee or of Women and Men With Nodular Dercum's Disease Phase 2
Completed NCT03492840 - Treatment of Women With Lipedema Involving Substantial Fat Knee of Women and Men With Nodular Dercum's Disease Phase 2
Recruiting NCT02838277 - Insight Into Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Disorders N/A
Completed NCT05966779 - Physical Therapy in Lipedema Surgery
Completed NCT05488977 - The Effects of Endurance Training on Lipedema N/A
Completed NCT04213989 - Intermittent Pneumatic Compression in Women With Lipo-lymphedema (Lipedema With Swelling) N/A
Enrolling by invitation NCT00833599 - Imaging Lymphatic Function in Normal Subjects and in Persons With Lymphatic Disorders
Active, not recruiting NCT04272827 - Evaluation Between Surgical Therapy of Lipedema Compared to Complex Physical Decongestive Therapy (CDT) Alone N/A