Evaluation of Skills, Interface Pressure Consistency and Confidence in Multilayer Compression Bandage Training for Physiotherapy Students: Quasi-experimental Study

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of structured training on inelastic compression bandaging skills, interface pressure accuracy, and self-confidence among physiotherapy students.

Methods: This study was conducted with 41 physiotherapy students (Education Group: n=21; Control Group: n=20). The Education Group received supervised training with objective pressure feedback while the Control Group received an instructional brochure. Clinical bandaging skills were evaluated using a two-station Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE), consisting of standardized rubric and time, and interface pressure monitoring. Students were assessed at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1) for bandaging skills (via rubric), interface pressure (Kikuhime), application time (seconds), and self-confidence (VAS).

Results: At baseline, only 9.5% of the Education Group and 0% of the Control Group achieved the target pressure. Post-intervention, these rates increased to 33.3% and 35.0%, respectively. The Education Group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in Rubric scores (p=0.030, rrb =0.390) and self-confidence levels (p=0.005, rrb =0.512) compared to the Control Group. Intra-group analysis revealed that application times increased significantly in both the Education (p<0.001, rrb =0.983) and Control groups (p<0.001, rrb =1.000). While absolute real pressure error improved significantly within the Education Group (p=0.024, rrb=0.581), no significant inter-group difference was found for pressure-related variables (p>0.05). Notably, in the Education Group, self-confidence showed a strong positive correlation with Rubric scores (rho= 0.619, p=0.003) and a significant negative moderate correlation with absolute real pressure error (rho: -0.408, p=0.037). In contrast, no significant correlation was found between confidence and technical performance in the Control Group, suggesting a tendency toward overconfidence.

Conclusion: Supervised training with objective feedback is superior to passive learning for mastering the complex psychomotor skill of multilayer inelastic bandaging. While theoretical instruction may artificially inflate self-confidence, it fails to bridge the experience paradox which perceived competence masks technical insufficiency. Integrating real-time biofeedback into physiotherapy curricula is essential to ensure sensory calibration, technical proficiency, and patient safety, transitioning students from conceptual understanding to objective clinical mastery.