Compression Sleeve Changes Corticomuscular Connectivity and Sensorimotor Function

Purpose: The application of compression sleeve (CS) has rapidly developed in the medicine and rehabilitation fields and is commonly used for improving sensorimotor function. Despite a considerable amount of sensorimotor-related evidence and clinical outcomes analysis being available, little is known about the effects of CS-induced sensory afferent input on corticomuscular functional connectivity (corticomuscular coherence, CMC) and reaction time (RT). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wearing CS on CMC and sensorimotor performance. Methods: Fourteen healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study and randomly performed visual tracking motor task, RT test and joint position sense (JPS) test with and without CS (CS and non-CS conditions). Electroencephalography and electromyography of the wrist extensor during the visual tracking motor task were used to calculate CMC. Joint angle steadiness, joint position error, pre-motor time (PMT), electromechanical delay (EMD) time and RT were calculated to compare sensorimotor performance with and without CS. Results: When wearing CS decreased CMC, shortened both PMT and RT compared to the non-CS condition (p <.05). The JPS and the steadiness of the wrist joint were improved when CS was worn (p <.05). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that wearing CS altered CMC and improved sensorimotor function.