Griffin JW, Newsome LS, Stralka SW, Wright PE.
Reduction of chronic posttraumatic hand edema: a comparison of high voltage
pulsed current, intermittent pneumatic compression, and placebo treatments.
Phys Ther 1990 May-,70(5):279-86

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of intermittent pneumatic
compression (IPC) and high voltage pulsed current (HVPC) in reducing chronic
posttraumatic hand edema. Thirty patients with posttraumatic hand edema were
randomly assigned to IPC, HVPC, or placebo-HVPC groups (10 patients in each
group). Patients received a single application of the respective treatment for 30
minutes. Measurements were made before and after a 10-minute rest period and
after the 30-minute treatment. A volumetric method was used to quantify edema
reduction. Reduction in hand edema was significant between the IPC and
placebo-HVPC groups (p = .01). Differences in edema reduction between the HVPC
and placebo-HVPC groups did not reach statistical significance (p = .04), but
were considered clinically significant. There was no significant difference
between the IPC and HVPC groups. A single 30-minute administration of IPC
produced a significant reduction in hand edema. Additional clinical studies are
needed to delineate maximally effective treatment protocols for reduction of
chronic posttraumatic hand edema. [Griffin JW, Newsome LS, Stralka SW, et al:
Reduction of chronic posttraumatic hand edema: A comparison of high voltage
pulsed current, intermittent pneumatic compression, and placebo treatments.