A Systematic Review of Pneumatic Compression Systems: Identifying Safe Cuff Pressures and Inflation Durations for Clinical and Biomedical Applications

Pneumatic compression devices are used across therapeutic, diagnostic, surgical, and sports medicine applications to improve vascular function, lymphatic drainage, and circulation. However, there is a lack of consolidated guidance on safe and effective cuff pressures and inflation durations, which are critical parameters for both clinical safety and device design. This systematic review aims to identify and summarize the pressure levels and inflation cycles employed in peer-reviewed studies, providing valuable insights for biomedical engineers and clinicians developing and using such technologies. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect for articles published between 2000 and March 2025. Of 12,375 articles identified, 120 studies met the eligibility criteria. Data were extracted on device type, anatomical location, pressure settings, inflation/deflation durations, and clinical context. Findings revealed a wide variability in pressure settings across applications, with therapeutic devices employing pressures ranging from 30 to 120 mmHg, while surgical tourniquets exceeded 200 mmHg. Inflation durations ranged from a few seconds to 45 minutes depending on the context. Despite widespread use, few studies referenced standardized safety thresholds. This review highlights the urgent need for harmonized pressure-duration guidelines and serves as a reference point for engineers designing next-generation pneumatic compression systems.