Journal article
Compression hosiery for occupational leg symptoms and leg volume: a randomized crossover trial in a cohort of hairdressers.
- Blazek C Division of Angiology, Swiss Cardiovascular Center, Inselspital, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland. claudia.blazek@insel.ch
- Amsler F
- Blaettler W
- Keo HH
- Baumgartner I
- Willenberg T
- 2012-03-28
Published in:
- Phlebology. - 2013
compression stockings
occupational leg swelling
quality of life
Adult
Cohort Studies
Cross-Over Studies
Edema
Female
Humans
Leg
Lower Extremity
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases
Pain
Quality of Life
Stockings, Compression
Surveys and Questionnaires
Ultrasonography
Venous Insufficiency
English
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.
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.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1258/phleb.2011.011108
- PMID 22451457
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/1380
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