Effect Of Pneumatic Compression Research Articles

Rehabilitation of cancer patients: the use of pneumatic compression in secondary lymphedema treatment

Complex decongestive therapy is a cornerstone of conservative chronic lymphedema treatment. There are other conservative treatment options that include intermittent pneumatic compression. Its mechanism of action is based on pressure applying on the underlying tissues and promoting the lymph flow through the lymphatic structures. Pneumatic compression was invented in 1972; nevertheless it has not found widespread support of professional community as a self-sufficient method of conservative lymphedema treatment, though it’s used a lot in many rehab clinics worldwide.Aim. To determine the indications and effectiveness of pneumatic compression, as well as to identify the possibility of using this method in the practice of treating lymphatic edema.

Utilizing complete decongestive therapy and pneumatic compression on patients with breast carcinoma for treatment of postoperative arm lymphedema-A review

Lymphedema can be defined as an abnormal accumulation of interstitial fluid that occurs primarily as a consequence of malformation or acquired disruption of the lymphatic circulation system. Breast cancer-related lymphedema refers to a swelling of the arm caused by damage to the axillary lymph drainage routes during breast cancer treatment. Lymphedema is one of the predominant physical sequelae, and it has an impact on the physical function of the shoulder; shoulder impairment is higher in patients with lymphedema than in patients without lymphedema. The objective of this paper is to review the evidence from contemporary literature to see the effectiveness of complete decongestive therapy and pneumatic compression on patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema. The aim of this paper is to comprehensively review the literature concerning this topic and summarize existing knowledge. From present study, it can be concluded that complete decongestive therapy, including manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandaging, exercise and skincare, improves shoulder mobility and overall quality of life and helps in reduction of lymphedema volume, pain, and heaviness. The use of pneumatic compression together with complete decongestive therapy was found to be effective in increasing the range of shoulder joint motion but further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to draw more reliable conclusions regarding the effectiveness of pneumatic compression. Furthermore, this review identifies areas for further research and makes recommendations for clinical practice.

What physiotherapeutic method for the treatment of post-mastectomy lymphedema is the most effective?

We have undertaken the search for the publications of interest in the following databases: Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, The Cochrane Library, CyberLeninka, and Russian science citation index. In addition, we evaluated the effectiveness of the physical agents and procedures having different mechanisms of action of the known factors responsible for the development of post-mastectomy lymphedema. Such agents and procedures include self-massage, manual lymphatic drainage, therapeutic physical exercises, compression bandaging, wearing elastic compression garments, Kinesio Tex taping, pneumatic compression, ultrasonic, electrostatic, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, microcurrent and low-intensity laser therapy. These methods and products were used by the authors of selected publications either separately or in the combined modes taking into consideration the significant differences between effects of the application of individual techniques. The results of the treatment are presented for different time periods, either in absolute units (cm or ml) in the majority of the cases or in relative units (%) only in part of them without information concerning the statistical significance of the results obtained. There is thus far neither the universal classification of post-mastectomy lymphedema nor the generally accepted approaches to its diagnostics and treatment. Therefore, it is impossible to give an unambiguous answer as regards the effectiveness of one or another method for the diagnostics and treatment of this condition. The author of the present article observed 172 patients at the age of 56.8±9.7 years suffering from late grade I-IV lymphedema treated with the use of local low-intensity low-frequency electric and magnetic therapy in the combination with pneumatic compression applied during 15 days. The results of the treatment were evaluated using water and impedance plethysmography. Within 4 weeks after the onset of therapy, the volume of the upper limb decreased on the average for all stages of lymphedema by 37.7±9.3% under effect of pneumatic compression alone, by 49.5±10.7% under the influence of its combination with electrotherapy, by 59.9±5.4% under the action of the combination of pneumatic compression with magnetotherapy, and by 76.3±7.3% after the application of all the three techniques together (p<0.05). Electrical neurostimulation of the blood vessels and skeletal muscles proved especially effective for the treatment of I-II grade lymphedema while magnetic therapy was most efficient for the management of grade III-IV lymphedema. The proposed method of combined physiotherapy looks very encouraging for the treatment of late lymphedema but does not completely solve all problems pertaining to the management of this pathological condition.

Abstract 2086: Usefulness of Pneumatic Lower Extremity Compression During Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography

Background Afterload is expected to increase with pneumatic compression of the lower extremities. Therefore, left ventricular (LV) wall stress which is the most important factor determining myocardial oxygen demand will also increase, leading to an increase in sensitivity of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) or shortened time to positive response.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pneumatic compression of lower extremities on the diagnostic accuracy of DSE. Methods In 40 patients who underwent DSE and were anticipating coronary angiography, DSE was repeated with the pneumatic compression (100mmHg) of lower extremities (DSEcomp) prior to coronary angiography. Sensitivity and specificity of DSE and DSEcomp were determined based on the coronary angiographic finding. Results All patients tolerated pneumatic compression of the lower extremities during the tests. LV end-systolic volume (p=0.042) and end-systolic wall stress (p=0.036) were significantly greater in the DSEcomp than DSE. In 3 patients with false negative results in DSE, DSEcomp showed positive responses, demonstrating a significant increase in sensitivity from 75% to 94% (p=0.045). Only 1 patient with true negative result in DSE was interpreted as showing positive response in DSEcomp, resulting in a decrease in specificity from 88% to 83% (p=NS). In 11 of 13 patients with true positive results both in DSE and DSEcomp, positive responses were seen at least 1 stage earlier in DSEcomp compared to DSE. Conclusions Pneumatic compression of lower extremities increases the sensitivity of DSE and shortens the time to positive response.