The effect of compression application and exercise on interface pressure (IP) gradients in healthy volunteers

Lower extremity compression is effective in treating various vascular and wound conditions. Assessment of IP variations along limb length and under different compression applications are limited. This work quantified both local and gradient in vivo IP map with a piezoresistive (PR) sensor under three different compression applications when applied to the right leg of forty healthy subjects (<i>n</i> = 40). Compression applications included elastic stockinette, EdemaWear (EW), a pre-packaged compression set, CoFlex TLC (CF) and a combination application, CF applied over EW (Both = BO). Results showed statistical variations in local pressures and pressure gradients that varied by condition, body position, and post 10 min of exercise. Immediately post application significant differences between all compression conditions were observed at both distal and proximal measurement points, ranging from 10.8 ± 4.2 mmHg for supine EW to 38.2 ± 10.7 mmHg for standing BO. A non-uniform reduction in IP was observed post a brief period of wear under CF and BO, but not EW. The largest decrease was observed at the proximal measurement point under BO (37% reduction). Rate of change in IP proximal to distal ranging from -2.4 to 3.4 mmHg/in. Vertical patterning that mirrored the structural design of the EW was observed in some, but not all, of the pressure maps for the BO application only. The use of the PR sensor for capturing in vivo IP profiles may provide a more comprehensive understanding of the compression effect, highlighting the importance of considering variation in IP across the limb over a period of wear.