Improved healing rates for chronic venous leg ulcers: pilot study results from a randomized controlled trial of a community nursing intervention.
Venous leg ulcers are a frequent source of chronic ill-health and a considerable cost to health-care systems. This paper reports pilot study results from a randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a community-based 'Leg Club' environment on improving healing rates of venous leg ulcers. Leg Clubs offer a setting where people with similar problems can socialize in a supportive, information-sharing environment. A sample of 33 clients with a below-knee venous leg ulcer were randomized to treatment, either in their own homes or in a community Leg Club. Treatment was provided to all participants, whether in the control group or intervention group, by a team of trained wound-care nurses following evidence-based assessment and treatment guidelines. Data were collected on admission to the study and at 12 weeks from admission. Results showed a significant improvement in healing in the intervention group compared to the control group, as measured by ulcer area size and Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing scores. These results suggest that a community Leg Club environment provides benefits additional to wound care expertise and evidence-based care. Knowledge gained from this study provides evidence to guide service delivery and improve client outcomes.
School of Nursing, Centre for Health Research-Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
Helen
H
Edwards
Mary
M
Courtney
Kathleen
K
Finlayson
Caroline
C
Lewis
Ellie
E
Lindsay
Jean
J
Dumble
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D011793:Queensland; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D014945:Wound Healing