Analysis of factors governing dynamic stiffness index of medical compression bandages

Abstract

To identify and analyze the important factors which could influence the Dynamic Stiffness Index (DSI) of compression bandages. Using three commercially available bandages with different stiffnesses, their DSI was obtained using a prototype based on an artificial leg-segment model consisting of a wooden mannequin having a variable circumference. The effect on DSI of three major factors, bandage extensibility (ε), resting pressure (RP) and limb circumference (C) was studied. An N-way ANOVA for a fixed model was carried out to test the significance of the above major factors and their interaction effects on bandage DSI. There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the mean DSI observed at different values of ε, RP and C. It was also found that some of the factors, ε and RP, and C and RP, interfere with each other and that their interaction effects also significantly affected the DSI (p<0.05). The above major factors have a deciding influence on the DSI of the compression bandages. Understanding the influence of these factors and the effect of their interactions on the DSI could help in pre-evaluating and comparing dynamic behaviors of different compression bandages during compression management.