Table 3. Characteristics of the studies selected.
| Author, year, and country | Characteristics of the sample | Intervention and duration | Outcomes assessed and results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Padberg et al.,14 2004, United States | Total (n = 30), male, CEAP (4, 5 and 6). | EG: compression therapy, individualized exercises and educational pamphlet. | Function, strength and resistance of the muscle pump; venous hemodynamics; AMA; functionality; and QoL. |
| EG: (n = 17), mean age of 71 years. | CG: compression therapy only (30-40 mmHg). | There were no differences in QoL or functional mobility, but improvements were observed in hemodynamics, function, and muscle pump strength. | |
| CG: (n = 13), mean age of 70 years. | - 6 months. | ||
| Szewczyk et al.,15 2010, Poland | Total (n = 32), men (n = 11), women (n = 21), CEAP (6). | EG: compression therapy, special dressings, supervision and instructions on exercises to be performed at home. | AMA; ulcer area, pain, and clinical scores for patients with ulcerations. |
| EG: (n = 16), men (n = 4), women (n = 12), age = 72.2±7.66 years. | CG: the same treatment, but unsupervised and with the exception of exercise on an exercise bicycle. | Pain associated with physical activity was observed in both groups, but intensity was not correlated with AMA. Ankle joint mobility improved in both groups, but was more significant in the experimental group. Ulcer area and lipodermatosclerosis exhibited a significant effect on AMA. | |
| CG: (n=16), Men (n=7), Women (n=9), Age= 72.3 ± 10.13 years. | - 9 weeks. | ||
| Ramos-González et al.,13 2012, Spain | Total (n = 65), female, CEAP (1 and 2). | EG: kinesiotherapy, myofascial release (50 min., 2x per week) and instructions on exercises to be performed at home. | Arterial blood pressure, QoL, venous circulation; and pain. |
| EG: (n = 33), age = 65.75±9.07 years. | CG: kinesiotherapy only. | The combination of these treatments improved symptoms of pain, QoL, arterial blood pressure, and venous return blood flow. | |
| CG: (n = 32), age = 62.15±11.23 years. | - 10 weeks. | ||
| O’Brien et al.,16 2017, Australia | Total (n = 62), men (n = 32), women (n = 30), CEAP (6). | EG: resisted exercises, compression therapy, wound care, educational pamphlet, telephone coaching, and instructions on exercises to be performed at home. | Ulcer healing and area, physical activity, functional capacity, QoL, and AMA. |
| EG: (n = 32), age = 71.3±15.8 years. | CG: usual care and educational pamphlet on care for the feet. | All participants exhibited improvements in physical activity levels. Healing was significant in the exercises group. No differences were found in QoL or functional capacity, but there were good AMA results in the experimental group. | |
| CG: (n = 30), age = 71.7±13.4 years. | -12 weeks. |
CEAP = Clinical, etiological, anatomic, and pathological classification; n = total number of participants; EG = experimental group; CG = control group; min. = minutes; mmHg = millimeters of mercury; AMA = ankle movement amplitude; QoL = quality of life.