Comparison of efficacy of the intermittent pneumatic compression with a high- and low-pressure application in reducing the lower limbs phlebolymphedema.
BACKGROUND
The primary lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency present an important medical problem, and effective physical therapeutic methods to treat this problem are still at the search phase. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) of a high- or low-pressure level in the treatment of primary phlebolymphedema of the lower limbs.


METHODS
The study included 81 patients with chronic venous insufficiency and primary lymphedema of the lower limbs. Group A consisted of 28 patients who underwent a monthly antiedematous therapy including a manual lymphatic drainage, multilayer bandaging, and IPC with the output pressure of 120 mmHg. Group B consisted of 27 patients who underwent the same basic treatment as group A and IPC with the output pressure of 60 mmHg. Group C (control) consisted of 26 patients who underwent only a basic treatment - without IPC.


RESULTS
After completion of the study, it was found that the greatest reduction of edema occurred in patients who underwent treatment with a pressure of 120 mmHg. The comparison of percentage reduction of edema showed a statistically significant advantage of the group A over groups B and C, both for the changes in the right (P=0.01) and the left limb (P=0.01). Results in patients undergoing intermittent compression of the lower pressure (60 mmHg) were similar to those obtained in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The IPC with the pressure of 120 mmHg inside the chambers effectively helps to reduce a phlebolymphedema. Furthermore, it appears that the treatments with a pressure of 60 mmHg are ineffective and their application becomes useless only in the antiedematous therapy.
Department of Physiotherapy Basics, Academy School of Physical Education in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.
Jakub
J
Taradaj
Department of Nervous System Diseases, University of Medicine in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
Joanna
J
Rosińczuk
Department of Nervous System Diseases, University of Medicine in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland.
Robert
R
Dymarek
Institute of Physiotherapy, Public Higher Medical Professional School in Opole, Opole, Poland.
Tomasz
T
Halski
Lymphology Center in Bad Berleburg, Bad Berleburg, Germany.
Winfried
W
Schneider
chamber pressure; intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC); perometric measurement; phlebolymphedema