The effectiveness of a novel neuromuscular electrostimulation method versus intermittent pneumatic compression in enhancing lower limb blood flow.

Jawad, Huda; Bain, Duncan S; Dawson, Helen; Crawford, Kate; Johnston, Atholl; Tucker, Arthur

OBJECTIVE This study compares the effectiveness of a neuromuscular electrostimulation device (geko T-1; Firstkind Ltd, High Wycombe, UK) in enhancing lower limb blood perfusion with two leading intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices, the Huntleigh Flowtron Universal (Huntleigh Healthcare Ltd, Cardiff, UK) and the Kendall SCD Express (Covidien plc, Dublin, Ireland). The subjects' tolerance of the devices was also compared. METHODS Ten healthy subjects were recruited. The devices were fitted bilaterally, in a sequential manner, for 30 minutes. Ultrasound and laser Doppler fluxmetry assessments were performed. RESULTS The geko T-1 device was superior to both IPC devices in increasing both venous and arterial blood volume flow by ∼30% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.7%-82.4%; P ≤ .001). The geko T-1 increased arterial blood velocity by 24% (95% CI, 9.7%-24.5%; P ≤ .001). A substantial increase in the total microcirculatory blood velocity by ∼370% (95% CI, 13.5%-39.7%) was reported after the use of the geko T-1 (P ≤ .001). With use of the visual analog scale, no significant differences in discomfort were found between the geko T-1 device and the IPC devices (P >.05). CONCLUSIONS The geko T-1 device is more effective than the IPC devices in increasing venous, arterial, and microcirculatory blood velocity. The devices studied were safe and well tolerated by healthy subjects.