Mid-term effect of customized graduated elastic compression stockings for managing occupational edema: A randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Vascular medicine (London, England) Vol. 30; no. 1; p. 50
• Main Authors: Wang, Sheng-Xing, Yang, Wen-Tao, Jin, Zhen-Yi, Wen, Jia-Hao, Ren, Hua-Liang, Xiong, Ying, Tao, Xiao-Ming, Li, Chun-Min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.02.2025
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Edema - diagnosis; Edema - etiology; Edema - physiopathology; Edema - therapy; Equipment Design; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases - diagnosis; Occupational Diseases - physiopathology; Occupational Diseases - therapy; Single-Blind Method; Stockings, Compression; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; occupational edema; randomized controlled trial (RCT); customized graduated elastic compression stockings
• ISSN: 1477-0377
• DOI: 10.1177/1358863X241290801

This study compared the effectiveness of customized graduated elastic compression stockings (c-GECS) based on individual lower-leg parameter models with standard graduated elastic compression stockings (s-GECS) in patients with occupational edema (OE). A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 70 patients with OE, randomly assigned to the c-GECS or s-GECS group. Follow-up assessments were performed at 1 and 3 months. Primary outcomes comprised visual analog scale scores (1-10) for lower-limb symptoms and comfort level of GECS. Secondary outcomes included GECS usage duration, calf volume, and interface pressure at B and C points (B: minimal ankle circumference point; C: maximum calf circumference point). Both groups exhibited significant improvements in pain, heaviness, and swelling symptoms at the 1- and 3-month follow up. At the 3-month follow up, the c-GECS group showed significantly superior improvement in symptoms. Comfort assessment revealed that c-GECS (16.2 ± 2.9) provided significantly greater comfort than s-GECS (13.6 ± 3.2) ( < 0.001). However, the two groups showed no significant difference in GECS wear duration. At 3 months, the c-GECS group showed superior maintenance of stocking tension at point B ( = 0.018). Both types of GECS significantly reduced calf volume at both time points, with no notable difference between the groups. c-GECS effectively alleviated pain, heaviness, and swelling symptoms in patients with OE. Although c-GECS did not exhibit a clear advantage in reducing calf volume as compared to s-GECS, it provided more stable and enduring pressure, enhanced the overall fit of GECS, and improved comfort during wear.