Effects of Compression Stockings on Elevation of Leg Lymph Pumping Pressure and Improvement of Quality of Life in Healthy Female Volunteers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Lymph is pumped through the collecting lymphatic vessels by both intrinsic and extrinsic forces. The intrinsic pump relies on spontaneous lymphatic contraction, which generates the pumping lymph pressure (P(lp)). Among healthy people with daily leg edema, a considerable number of cases are accompanied with low leg P(lp). Herein, a double-blinded controlled trial was conducted in healthy female volunteers with reduced leg P(lp) to compare the effectiveness of a 15–29 mmHg compression stocking (Stocking A) and a 8–16 mmHg stocking (Stocking B) on elevating P(lp). Method and Results: Among 219 healthy female volunteers who underwent measurement of leg P(lp), 80 participants (36.5%) had unilateral or bilateral legs with P(lp) < 20 mmHg (122 legs with P(lp) < 20 mmHg and 38 legs with P(lp) ≧ 20 mmHg). These 80 participants were assigned to wear either Stocking A (n = 40) or Stocking B (n = 40) for 16 weeks. Leg P(lp) was measured using indocyanine green fluorescence lymphography and an occlusion cuff technique while sitting. At 16 weeks, both Stockings A and B resulted in significantly elevated leg P(lp), with the effect on elevating P(lp) being superior for Stocking A. Only Stocking A resulted in decreased prevalence of leg edema and improved Short Form-36 scores. Conclusion: Compression stockings may represent a therapeutic option to elevate leg P(lp) and ameliorate leg edema, thereby leading to improved quality of life in healthy females with low leg P(lp).