title: Compression hosiery for occupational leg symptoms and leg volume: a randomized crossover trial in a cohort of hairdressers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Occupational leg symptoms are highly prevalent in the general population and impair the psychic state of health. We investigated hairdressers, a cohort exposed to prolonged standing during work, in a randomized crossover trial. We hypothesized that hairdressers wearing low-strength compression hosiery would benefit from less leg volume increase and discomfort.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eight hairdressers were randomized to wear medical compression stockings (MCS; 15-20 mmHg) in a crossover study. The effect of MCS on symptoms and on lower leg volume was compared with no compression treatment. Symptoms were assessed with a comprehensive questionnaire, categorized using factor analysis with varimax rotation and correlated with leg volume changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wearing MCS reduced the symptom score for pain and feelings of swelling (range 0-4) by an average of 0.22 (12%, P < 0.001). Sleep disturbance, feeling of unattractive legs and depressiveness improved with MCS compared with no MCS. Subjects initially obliged to refrain from wearing stockings showed a significant decrease of pain and feelings of swelling as well (by 0.10 [6%], P = 0.015). Wearing MCS was associated with a decrease of lower leg volume by an average of 19 mL (P < 0.001), with preference in older hairdressers (P < 0.001). The effects of wearing MCS on symptoms and on leg volume were not correlated with each other.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals working in a standing profession experience leg pain, feelings of swelling, heaviness and various other disturbing feelings. These symptoms can be alleviated by wearing low-strength MCS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Angiology, Swiss Cardiovascular Center, Inselspital, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland. claudia.blazek@insel.ch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blazek
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amsler
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Blaettler
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Keo
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Willenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004487:Edema / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010146:Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*