Effects of compression garments on balance in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the immediate and 4-week effects of compression garments (CG) on balance using a force platform during 8 different visual, static, and dynamic conditions in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) patients. METHODS: Thirty-six participants were randomly assigned to a group physiotherapy alone (PT, n = 19) or physiotherapy and daily CG wearing for 4 weeks (PT + CG, n = 17). Both attended 12 physiotherapy sessions (strengthening, proprioception, and balance exercises) for 4 weeks. Primary outcome: sway velocity of the centre of pressure (COP) measured before, immediately with the CG, and at 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes: ellipse area, Romberg quotient, and pain. RESULTS: Sway velocity in dynamic conditions decreased immediately with the CG. After 4 weeks of intervention, sway velocity (95% CI 4.36-39.23, effect size 0.93) and area (95% CI 146-3274, effect size 0.45) on the laterally oscillating platform with eyes-closed improved more in the PT + CG group than the PT group. Romberg quotient on foam cushion improved more in the PT + CG than the PT group. Pain decreased in both groups after 4 weeks with no between-group difference. CONCLUSION: CG combined with physiotherapy improved dynamic balance measured with COP variables significantly more than physiotherapy alone in people with hEDS. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03359135Implications for RehabilitationCompression garments immediately improve balance in people with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS)Compression garments combined with regular physiotherapy improve balance in people with hEDS after 4 weeks of treatmentCompression garments could compensate for proprioceptive impairment in hEDS.