The Effect of Standard Compression Adjuvant with a Tailored Exercise Training Program on Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes in Treating Adults with Venous Leg Ulcer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

AimTo gain a greater understanding of how compression therapy affects quality of life, this systematic review appraised existing published studies measuring the impact of compression therapy on health quality of life (HRQoL), and pain, among people with venous leg ulcers (VLU).MethodFive databases were searched, and two authors extracted data and appraised the quality of selected papers using the RevMan risk of bias tool. Due to heterogeneity in the types of compression and instruments used to evaluate HRQoL, meta‐analysis was not appropriate; thus, a narrative synthesis of findings was undertaken.ResultsTen studies were included, 9 RCTs and one before‐after study. The studies employed nine different HRQoL tools to measure the impact of a variety of compression therapy systems, with or without an additional exercise programme, versus other compression systems or usual care, and the results are mixed. With the use of the Cardiff Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule, the SF‐8 and the SF‐12, study authors found no differences in QoL scores between the study groups. This is similar to one study using QUALYs (Iglesias et al., 2004). Conversely, for studies using EuroQol‐5D, VEINES‐QOL, SF‐36 and CIVIQ‐20 differences in QoL scores between the study groups were noted, in favour of the study intervention groups. Two further studies using QUALYs found results that favoured a two‐layer cohesive compression bandage and the TLCCB group, respectively. Results for the five studies that assessed pain are also mixed, with one study finding no difference between study groups, one finding that pain increased over the study period and three studies finding that pain reduced in the intervention groups. All studies were assessed as being at risk of bias in one or more domains.ConclusionResults were varied, reflecting uncertainty in determining the impact of compression therapy on quality of life and pain among people with a venous leg ulcer. The heterogeneity of the compression systems and the measures used to evaluate HRQoL make it a challenge to interpret the overall evidence. Further studies should strive for homogeneity in design, interventions and comparators to enhance both internal and external validity.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sf‐12mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sf‐12mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sf‐12mentioning

confidence: 99%

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A systematic review of the impact of compression therapy on quality of life and pain among people with a venous leg ulcer

Patton,

Avsar,

Sayeh

et al. 2024

“…Existing literature posits that exercise training may exert positive effects on the treatment and management of VLUs 28 . This form of training encompasses diverse modalities such as aerobic exercise, resistance training, and flexibility training, as well as habitual daily activities like walking and housework.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of exercise in treating patients with venous leg ulcers: An umbrella review

Shen,

Xing,

Jiang

et al. 2024

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) represent a substantial challenge within the healthcare landscape, thereby necessitating efficacious therapeutic strategies. Exercise has been investigated as a prospective intervention to bolster the management of VLUs. The objective of this comprehensive review is to systematically scrutinize and appraise the extant body of evidence pertaining to the impact of exercise on the treatment of patients diagnosed with VLUs. A comprehensive literature search was executed across multiple databases, encompassing PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar. The methodological rigour was evaluated utilizing the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR‐2) instrument, while the quality of the evidence was appraised via the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) classification system. The relative efficacy of exercise interventions on outcomes related to VLUs, including rates of wound healing, total range of motion in the ankle joint, and adherence rates, was synthesized. Data were consolidated employing fixed‐effects models, and the impact of exercise on these outcomes was visually represented through the use of forest plots. The methodological foundation of this investigation comprised four systematic reviews and meta‐analyses, each characterized by an intermediate level of methodological rigour and evidence quality. Subsequent analyses revealed that exercise interventions exert a multifaceted and favourable impact on the therapeutic landscape of VLUs. These interventions distinctly contribute to the enhancement of wound healing rates (risk difference 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06–0.28) and the extension of ankle range of motion (mean difference [MD] 6.10, 95% CI: 4.61–7.59). Furthermore, Pooled adherence rate was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.20–2.45) with no significant heterogeneity. In conclusion, although existing evidence supports the positive impact of exercise training on VLUs, higher‐quality research is still needed to deepen our understanding of its effects and provide more specific guidance for clinical practice.

Chronic venous insufficiency and venous leg ulcers: Aetiology, on the pathophysiology‐based treatment

Krizanova,

Penesova,

Hokynkova

et al. 2023

The chronic venous disease covers a wide spectrum of venous disorders that are characterized by severely impaired blood return that primarily affects veins in the lower extremities. Morphological and functional abnormalities of the venous system led to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and present as leg heaviness/achiness, edema, telangiectasia, and varices. The term ‘chronic venous insufficiency’ (CVI) refers to a disease of greater severity. Venous dysfunction is associated with venous hypertension and is associated with venous reflux due to poorly functioning or incompetent venous valves, which ultimately reduces venous return, leading to a cascade of morphological, physiological, and histologic abnormalities such as blood pooling, hypoxia, inflammation, swelling, skin changes (lipodermatosclerosis), and in severe cases, venous leg ulcers (VLU). This review summarizes recent knowledge about the aetiology, risk factors, and pathophysiology of VLU and compared the possibilities of their treatment.