Physiological parameters and the use of compression stockings in individuals with spinal cord injuries: a scoping review

• Published in: Spinal cord Vol. 60; no. 2; pp. 115 - 121
• Main Authors: Da Rocha Rodrigues, Stephany Fernandes, Priego Quesada, Jose Ignácio, Batista Rufino, Luiz Henrique, Barbosa Filho, Valter, Rossato, Mateus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01-02-2022; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/443/1338; 692/700/565; Anatomy; Autonomic nervous system; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Blood flow; Blood pressure; Capacitance; Compression; Criteria; Edema; Exercise; Hosiery; Human Physiology; Humans; Injuries; Lactic acid; Neurochemistry; Neuropsychology; Neurosciences; Norepinephrine; Physical Fitness; Physiological effects; Physiology; Review Article; Spinal cord injuries; Spinal Cord Injuries - complications; Spinal Cord Injuries - therapy; Stockings, Compression; Temperature effects; Thermal stress; Thromboembolism; Thrombosis; Wheelchairs
• ISSN: 1362-4393; 1476-5624
• DOI: 10.1038/s41393-021-00748-9

Study design
Scoping review.
Objective
To summarize information on the physiological effects of compression stockings (CS) in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and suggest areas for future research.
Methods
We asked, “What are the physiological effects of CS use in individuals with SCI?” Original studies of patients with SCI regardless of sex and age that focused on SCI and CS were included. Five biomedical databases were searched. Studies were selected by three researchers in two stages, starting with an abstract and title screening and continuing with a full text review for application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A narrative synthesis was then performed.
Results
An initial search yielded 283 titles, of which five met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to the full text review. Among them, there were 78 individuals with SCI. The studies found that the use of CS at rest reduced deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and vascular capacitance but increased systolic blood pressure and norepinephrine level., three studies tested the use of CS During exercise; one found that time of the last lap in a standard court test was negatively affected; however, the greatest benefits were observed after exercises, such as reduced blood lactate level, improved autonomic function, and increased blood flow to the upper limbs.
Conclusion
We conclude that future research should examine the physiological effects and relationship of CS with: (a) pharmacological interventions, (b) body position changes, (c) physical fitness level, (d) wheelchair use duration, (e) exercise-induced thermal stress, (f) thermal stress mitigation, and (g) edema reduction.