THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PERFECT TOUCH(R) IN IMPROVING CIRCULATION IN THE LOWER E

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Approximately 10-20% of individuals older than 70 years have peripheral arterial disease (PAD), with a higher prevalence among diabetic patients and with increasing age. In PAD, atherosclerotic narrowing of the leg arteries limits the blood flow to the extremities, which is associated with considerable morbidity, impaired quality of life, and increased cardiovascular risk. Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is promising as a conservative means of maintaining the lower extremity circulation. A number of studies have shown improvement in skin microcirculation as well as in arterial blood flow after using IPC. However, the physiological mechanism of action and efficiency of the devices are still under investigation. The Perfect Touch¿, evaluated in this study, differs from similar devices in terms of the number of chambers, inflation rate and pressure as well as the capability of massaging both foot and leg. This proposal will examine the short-term vascular benefits of this device in healthy control and those with mild to moderate PAD (0.5<ABI<0.9) (n=18 each). The vascular parameters will be the ankle/brachial index (ABI), transcutanous oxygen tension (TcPO2) and skin perfusion imaging. Local skin oxygenation of the foot will be evaluated throughout the 15-minute IPC application, while other measures are taken before and after the session. Additionally, the pressure imposed by IPC on the skin will be measured in control subjects. This study will provide preliminary data for quantifying the benefits that could result from IPC with the Perfect Touch¿ device.