VETCOSED study: efficacy of compressive garments for patients with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome on shoulder stability and muscles strength

Purpose to assess the effect of wearing a compressive short-sleeve jacket on shoulder stability and rotator muscles in adult patients with a hypermobile subtype of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Materials and methods a quasi-experimental study with "Pre/Post" design (4 weeks with versus 4 weeks without), open, conducted on a national cohort. Shoulder rotators were assessed with an isokinetic device at 180°/s and 90°/s; frequency of shoulder stability defects, pain (Visual Analogical Scale), and satisfaction (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology) were reported. Results 36 patients (35 women), mean age 37.9 years, wore jackets for a meanly 7.8 h/day. >70% were satisfied with the effect on arthralgia, instability, or function. QUEST results were high (m = 4.1, SD = 0.7). After jacket wear, the power of external rotators at 180°/s was significantly increased (+1.29 W, CI95%: 0.31; 2.28; p = 0.0318). At 90°/s, no significant difference was found, either on power or strength. The on-off effect highlights a significant difference in external and internal rotators power, whatever the speed. The occurrence of subluxation (p = 0.0140) and dislocations (p = 0.0163) decreased. Pain decreased from 3.5/10 to 2.5/10, without significance (p = 0.0964). Conclusion compressive CICATREX SED® jackets are well supported by patients, impact the power of external rotators at high speed (180°/s), and improve joint stability. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Compressive garments made to measure are beneficial to patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Compressive CICATREX SED® jackets clearly improve shoulder stability and help to promote muscle power in shoulder external rotators during high-speed movements. One month of jacket wearing seems to bring no lasting effect on shoulder-rotator power, so the jacket needs to be kept on for the benefits to be maintained.