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Preliminary Investigation of a Smart Compression Therapy Prototype

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Venous Leg Ulcer
Venous Insufficiency of Leg
Interventions
Device: Standard Compression
Device: Compression Therapy System Prototype
Registration Number
NCT05610241
Lead Sponsor
DeRoyal Industries, Inc.
Brief Summary

Compression wraps treat venous leg ulcers when applied correctly. Often, clinicians apply the wraps at the wrong compression, or the wrap loosens, stopping clinical benefits. The study aims to show the feasibility of a smart compression prototype to maintain a set compression level in healthy volunteers. Each volunteer will wear the prototype device on one leg and a standard compression wrap on the other. Volunteers will pump their calves, walk, lie down, and stand at zero, one, and four hours. A pressure sensor placed over each calf will record the compression level during the activities. Volunteers will provide subjective feedback on each device concerning comfort and usability. After four hours, researchers will remove the standard wrap. Volunteers will use the prototype device during daily activities for three days. During the three days, the volunteers will complete a daily journal. The journal will capture the user experience and time the volunteer used the device. A final site visit allows researchers to conduct exit interviews and download the history of applied compression. Researchers will use the data to show that the prototype device maintains therapeutic compression and prove the usability of the device.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
11
Inclusion Criteria
  • Intact, healthy skin at the application site in both legs
  • Calf circumferences to be within 30 - 50 cm between the medial and lateral head of the gastrocnemius
  • Able to understand the Patient Information Leaflet
  • Willing and able to give informed consent
  • Able to wear, don and doff the compression device without external help
  • Willing and able to follow the requirements of the clinical investigation plan
  • Presence of pedal pulses identified by hand-held Doppler (8 MHz)
  • Ankle Brachial Pressure Index between 0.9 and 1.4
Exclusion Criteria
  • History of signs of previous deep or superficial vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism
  • Peripheral artery disease ( or ABPI < 0.90 or > 1.4), critical limb ischemia, or arterial ulceration
  • Varicose veins, varicose eczema, or venous ulceration
  • Chronic lower limb swelling, edema, lymphedema, or lipoedema
  • Recent surgery within the last three months (such as abdominal, gynecological, hip or knee replacement, or lower limb) that may affect the study in the opinion of the investigator
  • Recent trauma to a lower limb within the last three months
  • Chronic obesity (defined as BMI index >40 kg/m^2)
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Pregnancy
  • A pulse rate of fewer than 40 beats/minute
  • A sitting systolic blood pressure of > 180 and < 100 mmHg and/or a sitting diastolic pressure of > 100 mmHg
  • Any significant illness during the previous four (4) weeks
  • Participation in any clinical study during the eight (8) weeks preceding the screening period
  • Any evidence of edema or pain
  • Skin diseases, including wounds on the feet or lower limbs
  • Any history of heart, liver, kidney, or vascular diseases
  • History of having been prescribed compression stockings for treatment of a medical condition
  • Serious allergies
  • Dermatitis with oozing or fragile skin
  • Persons currently using NSAID, Diuretics, Vasodilators, and steriods
  • Drivers and Driving Professionals

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Coban 2 (2 Layer Compression Wrap)Standard CompressionIdentifies the legs randomized to receive the control intervention
Compression Therapy System PrototypeCompression Therapy System PrototypeIdentifies legs randomized to receive the experimental intervention
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Time to Apply Intervention by clinicianMeasured on Day 0

The time it takes a clinician to place the assigned intervention to each limb

Interface Pressure after Application of InterventionMeasured on Day 1

Interface pressure measured by pressure sensor (Pico Press) following application by research clinician

Accuracy of Compression Therapy System Prototype compared to Interface PressureMeasured between 0 and 4 hours on day 1

During data collection on day 1, the pressure sensor (Pico Press) will continuously monitor compression level applied to the calf. Researchers willl compare the pressure applied from the device to the measured pressure at the calf.

Usability AssessmentCompleted on Day 1 for both interventions and daily on Day 2, 3, and 4 for the compression therapy system prototype

Questionnaire that allows research participants to score each intervention on a 1 (Strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly agree) scale for the following questions:

The intervention stayed in place while you are wearing it. The appearance of the intervention is aesthetically appealing The dimensions of the intervention are appropriate The weight of the intervention is comfortable when wearing it Overall I was able to successfully use the compression therapy prototype The user manual is helpful for me in managing the compression therapy prototype The instructions in the user manual are understandable (compression therapy prototype only) Overall, the Compression Therapy System Prototype is user friendly Overall, I feel comfortable when I use the intervention Overall, I feel confident when I use the intervention Overall I feel there is no risk to me when I use the intervention

Average Interface Pressure during WalkingMeasured at 0 hours, 1 hour, and 4 hours on Day 1

The participant walks on a treadmill for 10 minutes. A pressure sensor (Pico Press) continuously measures compression at the medial gastrocnemius head. The interface pressure measurements are averaged over ten minutes of data collection. The analysis compares changes in pressure over the three measurements for each intervention.

Average Interface Pressure while laying downMeasured at 0 hours, 1 hour, and 4 hours on Day 1

The participant lays down on the bed for 30 seconds. A pressure sensor (Pico Press) continuously measures compression at the medial gastrocnemius head. The interface pressure measurements are averaged over 30 seconds of data collection. The analysis compares changes in pressure over the three measurements for each intervention.

Visual Analogue Sensory (Pain) AssessmentMeasured on Day 1 at hour 4

Pain assessment completed by a 0 to 10 visual analog scale where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents severe pain.

Visual Analogue Skin Redness AssessmentMeasured on Day 1 at hour 4 for both interventions; Measured on Day 2 - 4 for Compression Therapy System Prototype

Visual Analogue Scale between 0 (no redness) to 10 (severe redness)

At home usability assessmentDay 2 and 3

Questions will be asked to healthy volunteers during three day period at home. Volunteers rate their response on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

I learned to use the compression therapy prototype quickly I learned to use the compression therapy prototype easily I easily remember how to use the compression therapy prototype I quickly became skillful with the compression therapy prototype It isn't necessary to have too much previous knowledge to use the compression therapy prototype The instructions for use are clear and easy to understand

The LED signs from the compression therapy prototype is accurate Overall, I was able to successfully interpret the LED signs of the compression therapy prototype The LED signs of the compression therapy prototype are understandable and easy to interpret The LED signs were helpful for me in managing the compression therapy prototype The LED signs allow me to correct mistakes quickly and easily

Time to Apply compression therapy prototype by volunteerMeasured on Day 0

The time it takes the volunteer to place the assigned intervention to each limb

Average Interface Pressure during Calf PumpingMeasured at 0 hours, 1 hour, and 4 hours on Day 1

The participant pumps each calf independently for 30 seconds. A pressure sensor (Pico Press) continuously measures compression at the medial gastrocnemius head. The interface pressure measurements are averaged over 30 seconds of data collection. The analysis compares changes in pressure over the three measurements for each intervention.

Average Interface Pressure during StandingMeasured at 0 hours, 1 hour, and 4 hours on Day 1

The participant stands for 30 seconds. A pressure sensor (Pico Press) continuously measures compression at the medial gastrocnemius head. The interface pressure measurements are averaged over 30 seconds of data collection. The analysis compares changes in pressure over the three measurements for each intervention.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

RCSI Education and Research Centre

🇮🇪

Dublin, Ireland

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