Difference in movement magnitude according to the type of compression therapy used on healthy subjects

Abstract

[Purpose] This aim of this study was to determine the difference in the magnitude of upper extremity movement according to the type of compression device used as determined by three-dimensional motion analysis. [Subjects] The subjects selected for this study were 40 healthy adults. Out of the 40 participants, 9 were excluded from the study. [Methods] For the experimental procedure subjects randomly wore acompression garment, a bandage or neither. During each motion analysis, subjects performed elbow flexion and extension in a fixed range, 10 times, using their dominant hand. [Results] The wrist marker movement distances on the Z axis while wearing the compression garment and bandage were significantly lower than that of wearing nothing. The elbow marker movement distance on the Y axis and range of motion while wearing the compression bandage was significantly greater than that of wearing nothing or the compression garment. The shoulder marker movement distance on the X axis while wearing the compression bandage was significantly greater than that of wearing nothing or the compression garment. [Conclusion] Wearing a compression bandage reduces wrist and elbow movement and increases shoulder movement compared to wearing a compression garment or wearing neither. The appropriate use for a compression garment or a compression bandage must now be determined.