Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
A Flexible Wearable Supernumerary Robotic Limb for Chronic Stroke Patients
Published on: October 27, 2023
A randomized trial to evaluate compliance in terms of patient comfort and satisfaction of two pneumatic compression
Patrick Pagella1, Mark Cipolle, Eileen Sacco
1Department of Trauma, Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA, USA.
Purpose:
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence can be substantially reduced with prophylaxis, which includes pneumatic compression device (PCD) use.
Methods:
To determine whether patient comfort and satisfaction correlated to compliance in wearing PCDs, patients were randomly assigned to either of two effective calf-high PCDs. Education and handouts were provided to both groups. Patients were given a survey rating their comfort, satisfaction, and compliance. At the conclusion of the study, healthcare providers completed a questionnaire comparing both PCDs.
Results:
A total of 65 patients participated. The main significant differences between groups were seen in the patient perceptions questionnaire for two items: "the device was hot" (p = .014) and "device made my legs sweat" (p = .029). The PCD that provided more comfort and satisfaction was worn for a greater amount of time, 85% vs. 81%, respectively.
Conclusions:
Results suggest that patients are more compliant with a PCD that promotes patient comfort when worn.