Participant experiences in a feasibility trial of supervised exercise training in adults with venous leg ulcers: A qualitative study.

Exercise training can improve lower-limb cutaneous microvascular reactivity in adults with venous leg ulceration; however, there is a lack of research on patients' views about the acceptability and feasibility of exercise interventions. The aim of this study was to explore participants' experiences of the trial "Exploring the Feasibility of Implementing a Supervised Exercise Training and Compression Hosiery Intervention in Patients with Venous Ulceration" (FISCU). Semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews were used to investigate participants' experiences (n = 16) of taking part in the FISCU trial. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three overarching themes were identified, along with 11 sub-themes: (a) sedentary cautious living (because of pain and reduced mobility, treatment and perceived control, and advice to rest and be careful), (b) key components of the exercise trial (including motivation, an individualised intervention supervised by a specialist exercise professional, and satisfaction with the intervention), and (c) benefits of exercise (physical benefits and healing, psychological well-being, positive impact on comorbidities, and an improved self-management strategy). This study found that an exercise intervention was viewed by participants as positive, acceptable, and feasible while living with a venous leg ulcer. An individualised and supervised exercise programme was key to build confidence to exercise.

Exercise fidelity and progression in a supervised exercise programme for adults with venous leg ulcers.

Despite exercise being included in the recommended advice for patients with venous leg ulcers, there is a fear shared by clinicians and patients that exercise may be either inappropriate or harmful and actually delay rather than promote healing. Therefore, before implementing a larger-scale study exploring the effects of a supervised exercise programme in patients with venous ulcers being treated with compression therapy, it is important to assess exercise safety as well as fidelity and progression in a feasibility study. Eighteen participants randomised in the exercise group were asked to undertake 36 (3 times/week for 12 weeks) 60-min exercise sessions, each comprising moderate-intensity aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercise components. For the purposes of this paper, we analysed the data collected during the exercise sessions. The overall session attendance rate was 79%, with 13 of 18 participants completing all sessions. No in-session adverse events were reported; 100% aerobic components and 91% of resistance components were completed within the desired moderate-intensity target. Similarly, 81% of aerobic components and 93% of flexibility components were completed within the prescribed duration targets. Our data showed that patients with venous ulcers could safely follow a supervised exercise programme incorporating moderate-intensity aerobic, resistance, and flexibility components.

Effects of supervised exercise training on lower-limb cutaneous microvascular reactivity in adults with venous ulcers.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of a 12-week supervised exercise programme on lower-limb cutaneous microvascular reactivity in adults with venous leg ulceration. METHODS: Thirty-eight adults with unilateral venous ulceration who were being treated with lower-limb compression therapy (58% male; mean age 65 years; median ulcer size 5 cm2) were randomly allocated to exercise or control groups. Exercise participants (n = 18) were invited to attend thrice weekly sessions of lower-limb aerobic and resistance exercise for 12 weeks. Cutaneous microvascular reactivity was assessed in the gaiter region of ulcerated and non-ulcerated legs at baseline and 3 months using laser Doppler fluxmetry coupled with iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated as laser Doppler flux (AU)/mean arterial pressure (mmHg). RESULTS: Thirty-seven participants completed follow-up assessments. Median session attendance was 36 (range 2-36). Analyses of covariance revealed greater peak CVC responses to ACh in the exercise group at 3 months in both the ulcerated (adjusted difference = 0.944 AU/mmHg; 95% CI 0.504-1.384) and non-ulcerated (adjusted difference = 0.596 AU/mmHg; 95% CI 0.028-1.164) legs. Peak CVC responses to SNP were also greater in the exercise group at 3 months in the ulcerated leg (adjusted difference = 0.882 AU/mmHg; 95% CI 0.274-1.491), but not the non-ulcerated leg (adjusted difference = 0.392 AU/mmHg; 95% CI - 0.377 to 1.161). CONCLUSION: Supervised exercise training improves lower-limb cutaneous microvascular reactivity in adults with venous leg ulceration.

Influencing dressing choice and supporting wound management using remote 'tele-wound care'.

This article describes a local involvement in a project to evaluate a remote system of wound management, incorporating the use of digital and mobile technology. It outlines how this involvement influenced the current system of 'tele wound care' (remote wound management) in a large community organisation. The system allows remote wound assessment, management advice and ongoing monitoring of wounds to ensure that the dressing choice remains appropriate and that timely wound care support can be provided to community nurses, practice nurses and GPs.

FAQs on leg ulcer care.

In a webchat on leg ulcer management issues, hosted by Nursing Times, participants raised three key areas of care: the role of healthcare assistants in compression bandaging; reporting and investigating damage caused by compression therapy; and recommendations for dressings to be used under compression. This article discusses each of these in turn.

Toe bandaging to prevent and manage oedema.

Toe oedema is more commonly associated with lymphoedema but is frequently seen in patients with venous hypertension. In the long-term it leads to toe deformity and it is essential that the problem is managed. Brenda King outlines how to apply toe bandages and the long-term management once the problem is resolved.

A review of the treatment for venous leg ulcers.

Venous ulcers, sometimes termed varicose or stasis ulcers, are a consequence of damage to the valves in the veins of the legs, leading to raised venous pressure. They are characterized by a cyclical pattern of healing and recurrence. There is a need to have a thorough assessment of patients with leg ulcers by an appropriately experienced clinician to maximize the chance of healing the ulcer. The main treatment is the application of compression, either in the form of compression bandages or hosiery. Dressings are applied beneath the compression with a view to controlling exudate, comfort and to aid healing. There are a large number of dressing products and types available but the evidence to justify their use is poor. The main treatment for venous ulcers should therefore be the application of compression therapy with a simple, low adherent dressing.

Practice based commissioning: implications for community wound-care practitioners.

Practitioners can do much to ensure that wound care benefits from practice based commissioning, although the actions needed to achieve this are complex and time-consuming. This paper describes the key issues to consider.

Impact of intravenous drug use on quality of life for patients with venous ulcers.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to examine, from the perspective of patients, the impact of venous leg ulcers on health-related quality of life in current and former intravenous drug users and the general population. BACKGROUND: Venous ulceration can be caused by intravenous drug use. There has been little examination on how this affects the quality of life of this group of patients and how they compare with other patients who have venous ulcers. METHOD: A qualitative approach was adopted, using framework analysis. Semi-structured interviews with 19 participants who had a venous leg ulcer were conducted between August 2005 and February 2006. Interview audiotapes were analysed to identify recurring themes relating to the impact of venous leg ulcers on overall quality of life. FINDINGS: A complex interaction between symptoms, social restriction and attribution of illness influenced the impact of venous leg ulcers. Smell and pain were the symptoms that had the most profound impacts. In addition to the physical and psychological consequences, participants' activities and social interactions were restricted. Intravenous drug users experienced more social isolation and difficulties in accessing treatment for their venous ulcers. CONCLUSION: While leg ulcer services remain focused on the needs of older people, services for young intravenous drug users are unlikely to improve. A more coherent and earlier intervention, when the ulcers are not as difficult to treat, would decrease time and costs to the health service. The challenge is to find new ways of providing effective and accessible care to this growing population.

An audit of footwear for patients with leg bandages.

Brenda King conducted an audit to identify how many patients do not have adequate footwear as a consequence of wearing bandages and dressings on their feet and legs, and discusses the impact this has on quality of life.

Mixed aetiology leg ulcers.

Irene Anderson and Brenda King outline the causes of mixed aetiology leg ulcers and the treatment of these complex wounds.

Letters.

HYDROGELS AND FOAM DRESSINGS IN COMBINATION CONTROLLING BLEEDING IN FUNGATING WOUNDS HYDROSTATIC LEG ULCERS COMMUNITY LEG ULCER CLINICS.