Lycra sleeve compression and its physiological and biomechanical effects on the upper limb in healthy adults

Kumar, Praveen; Stokes, Adam; Barber, Kieran; Hockey, Harriet; Harris, Ben; Ho, Jeffrey; Brooks, Michael; Rahman, Nahian; Diteesawat, Richard

Lycra sleeve compression and its physiological and biomechanical effects on the upper limb in healthy adults

Kumar, Praveen; Stokes, Adam; Barber, Kieran; Hockey, Harriet; Harris, Ben; Ho, Jeffrey; Brooks, Michael; Rahman, Nahian; Diteesawat, Richard

Authors

Dr Praveen Kumar Praveen.Kumar@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Stroke Rehabilitation

Adam Stokes

Kieran Barber

Harriet Hockey

Ben Harris

Jeffrey Ho

Michael Brooks

Nahian Rahman

Richard Diteesawat

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have shown beneficial effects of a Lycra arm sleeve in people with stroke (PwS), however, the mechanism of these effects is unclear. The aim was to investigate the effects of a Lycra arm sleeve on pressure, temperature, range of movement, and muscle activity using a prototype measurement system on the upper limb (UL) in healthy adults prior to testing on PwS.
Method
This was a cross-sectional crossover study. Data was collected on Grip Strength (GripAble), muscle activity in shoulder muscles (Electromyography- EMG), proprioception (during UL reaching task), temperature sense (BOJACK TMP36 3 Pin Temperature Sensor) and pressure (a custom-built cuff with two pneumatic pouches and sensors) with and without a lycra sleeve.
Results
Sixteen healthy individuals (M=7, F=9) with a mean age of 25±7 years were recruited. Without sleeve, the mean EMG activity, temperature, grip strength, and joint position sense were 1.155 volts (±0.058), 32.5°C (±5.9), 20.8kg (±9.6) and 58.1mm (±31.5). Corresponding values with ‘sleeve on’ were 1.213V (±0.178), 34°C (±5.3), 21.1kg (±9) and 50.8mm (±29) respectively.
Conclusion
Changes were recorded with ‘sleeve on’ in the majority of biomechanical and physiological parameters tested in young healthy people. The prototype needs refinement and testing in PwS in future studies.

Citation

Kumar, P., Stokes, A., Barber, K., Hockey, H., Harris, B., Ho, J., …Diteesawat, R. (2023, December). Lycra sleeve compression and its physiological and biomechanical effects on the upper limb in healthy adults. Poster presented at UK Stroke Forum, Birmingham

Presentation Conference Type	Poster
Conference Name	UK Stroke Forum
Conference Location	Birmingham
Start Date	Dec 4, 2023
End Date	Dec 6, 2023
Deposit Date	Feb 7, 2024
Keywords	Lycra Sleeve, Stroke, Biomechanical, physiological, proprioception, Temperature
Public URL	https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11676458