Intermittent compression for the treatment of the oedematous hand in hemiplegic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression in treating oedema in the hemiplegic hand of stroke patients.


METHODS
Single-blind randomized control trial.


METHODS
acute and rehabilitation elderly care wards in a teaching district.


METHODS
37 Subjects with a first ever hemisphere stroke were randomized to treatment with standard physiotherapy either alone or combined with intermittent pneumatic compression.


METHODS
The effect of treatment on oedema was assessed using measures of the hand volume of the hemiplegic hand. The impact on function was assessed using the motricity index.


RESULTS
The treated group showed no change in the mean stroke hand volume. In the control group the mean stroke hand volume decreased by 3.2 ml. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. The median scores for the motricity index increased for both groups but there was no significant difference between the groups and any improvement in motor function was independent of any treatment effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Intermittent pneumatic compression at the prescribed pressure and duration of this study is not an effective treatment for the oedematous stroke hand.
Roper
T A
TA
Elderly Services Directorate, St. James's Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Redford
S
S
Tallis
R C
RC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome