A new compression stocking with well-defined pressure—a randomized controlled pilot study

Background To evaluate an innovative class I compression stocking with predetermined uniform pressure in comparison to a graduated class III compression stocking system, regarding edema reduction, interface pressure, and patient comfort. Method Twenty-five patients with chronic venous disease, were randomized: 12 to investigational stocking, 13 to comparator stocking. Data collected at baseline and after 14 days. Results Edema was significantly equal reduced to follow-up; mean −129.0 cm 3 (SD 105; p = .004, Class I) and −223.7 cm 3 (SD 120; p = .002, Class III), respectively. The investigational stocking lost significantly less compression pressure than the comparator stocking ( p ≤ .013). Participants in both groups perceived significant improvement regarding leg heaviness, leg swelling, and feelings of tightness and tingling ( p ≤ .016). Conclusion The innovative investigational class I stocking appears to offer similar edema reduction and benefits to the comparator class III stocking. However, a larger and prolonged study is required. The study was registered in the ISRCTN-registry, ISRCTN17356077, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17356077 .