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Antiswelling effect of StepIt--an active foot pump system
1Department of Surgery, Academic Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. david.bergqvist@surgsci.uu.se
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
|January 15, 2009
Summary
Using the StepIt device for active foot movement can help reduce leg swelling in individuals with sedentary jobs. This study shows a significant reduction in calf volume increase during the day for the leg using the device.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Physiology
Background:
- Sedentary work and prolonged sitting can lead to leg swelling.
- The StepIt device is designed for active foot movement, simulating walking with calf muscle contractions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the StepIt device in reducing leg swelling.
- To assess the impact of active foot movement on calf volume changes in healthy adults.
Main Methods:
- 40 healthy volunteers with office jobs participated.
- Calf volume was measured before and after using the StepIt device over one day.
- A within-subject design was used, with one leg as control and the intervention applied to the other leg, repeated after five days.
Main Results:
- Leg volume naturally increased throughout the day.
- The increase in leg volume was significantly smaller in the leg that utilized the StepIt device.
- This suggests a localized effect of the device on fluid accumulation.
Conclusions:
- The StepIt device may be effective in mitigating leg swelling associated with prolonged sitting.
- Active foot movement, facilitated by devices like StepIt, shows potential for managing edema in healthy individuals.
- Further research could explore long-term effects and applications in specific populations.
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