Compression stocking

Theory
Wearing compression stockings on the lower legs may improve blood circulation in some people, which may reduce the severity of some cardiac or circulatory symptoms in ME/CFS patients.

Evidence
A small study by van Campen et al. (2022) found that CEP Run 2.0 lower leg compression stockings, with a closed toe, improved both average cardiac output and blood flow to the brain during a tilt table test in ME/CFS patients. Both cardiac output and cerebral blood flow (CBF) reduce when patients sit or stand, and the compression stockings reduced this effect but made no difference when patients were putting down.

According to the authors of the study, CEP Run 2.0 compression stockings provide 20–25mm Hg of compression.

Costs and availability
Compression stockings are widely available although it is often unclear which stockings have been assessed as appropriate for medical use, and what pressure they provide.

Notable studies

 * 2022, Compression Stockings Improve Cardiac Output and Cerebral Blood Flow during Tilt Testing in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Patients: A Randomized Crossover Trial - (Full text