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A randomised crossover study of low‐ankle‐pressure graduated‐compression tights in reducing flight‐induced ankle oedema
Author(s) -
Hagan Melissa J,
Lambert Stephen M
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2008.tb01527.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ankle , crossover study , confidence interval , visual analogue scale , physical therapy , anesthesia , surgery , alternative medicine , pathology , placebo
Objective: To determine if low‐ankle‐pressure graduated‐compression tights (GCTs) reduce flight‐induced ankle oedema and subjectively rated travel symptoms of leg pain, discomfort and swelling, and improve energy levels, ability to concentrate, alertness, and post‐flight sleep. Design, setting and participants: Open, randomised crossover trial comparing the effects of GCTs (5 mmHg at ankle, 17–20 mmHg at calf and falling to 10 mmHg above knee and 4 mmHg at buttocks) among 50 adults on flights of 5 hours’ or more duration between 1 May and 8 October 2006; 47 volunteers (pilots and passengers) completed the trial. Main outcome measures: Differences in right ankle circumference before and after flight with GCTs and without GCTs; travel symptoms rated on visual analogue scales. Results: Low‐ankle‐pressure GCTs decreased ankle swelling (mean difference, − 0.19 cm; 95% CI, − 0.33 to − 0.65 cm; P = 0.012). Participants reported their legs felt better (mean, 1.6; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.1), warmer (mean, − 1.1; P < 0.001; 95% CI, − 1.6 to − 0.6), and they had a better night's sleep (mean, 1.2; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.7) after the flight when they wore GCTs. Shifts in rating‐scale probability distributions showed improvements in the ratings of pain (60%; P < 0.001), leg discomfort (50%; P = 0.001), leg swelling (45%; P = 0.006), energy levels (18%; P = 0.016), alertness levels (13%; P = 0.031), and concentration (12%; P = 0.023) when wearing GCTs. Conclusions: Low‐ankle‐pressure GCTs reduce flight‐induced ankle oedema and subjectively rated travel symptoms of leg pain, discomfort and swelling, and improve energy levels, ability to concentrate, alertness, and post‐flight sleep. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12606000150549.