This study examined the pressure volumetric characteristics (compliance) of Jobst (Jobst Institute, Toledo, Ohio), Barton-Carey (Barton-Carey Co., Perrysburg, Ohio), and Tubigrip (SePro Healthcare Inc., Moorestown, N.J.) pressure garments for arms after repeated saturation with lubricating substances and repeated washing/drying cycles. The three treatment groups were each composed of one sleeve from each of the manufacturers and were subjected to 20 washing/drying cycles. In addition, the sleeves in treatment groups 2 and 3 were saturated with cocoa butter and Lubriderm moisturizer, respectively, before each cycle. Circumferential measurements were taken on the proximal forearm of the sleeve at varying degrees of pressure with a Grafco standard sphygmomanometer (Graham Field Inc., Hauppauge, N.Y.) and a Gulick anthropometric tape measure (Creative Engineering, Plymouth, Mich.). Measurements were taken initially and after every fifth washing/drying cycle. Analysis of variance revealed significant results for the main effects and some interactions at the 0.01 level. Overall results showed little change in the Jobst and Barton-Carey garments, whereas the Tubigrip garments displayed an inconsistent pattern.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Gallagher et al. (1992) studied this question.