Leg showering therapy in patients with intermittent claudication.
Ten patients with intermittent claudication were treated using a recently constructed "chair" in which the seated patient has alternately warm and cool water flushed over the legs and feet. A trial treatment was given for 25 minutes, three times a week for 5 weeks. Ankle/arm index, skin perfusion pressure and calf blood flow all remained unchanged immediately after such a series of treatment. Even at follow-up 6 months later, values were unchanged but for a minute increase in ankle/arm index in the poorer leg. Walking capacity was additionally measured and an improvement was seen, also after 6 months. The role of the contrast temperature treatment in this improvement is, however, unclear.
Bornmyr
S
S
Department of Clinical Physiology, Allmänna Sjukhuset, Malmö, Sweden.
Svensson
H
H
Bergovist
D
D
Lilja
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply