Multilayer Inelastic Bandage Training in Physiotherapy Students

NCT07592208 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BAIBU-FTR-ED-005
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 41
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this quasiexperimental study is to evaluate the effects of structured training on inelastic compression bandaging proficiency in fourth-year physiotherapy students. The main questions it aims to answer are: Can supervised training significantly improve primary outcomes such as technical bandaging skills (measured by a standardized rubric)? Does structured education enhance secondary outcomes, including interface pressure accuracy, application time, and student self-confidence? Researchers will compare a Supervised Education Group receiving real-time biofeedback to a Control Group receiving an instructional brochure to see if expert-led training is more effective than passive learning in bridging the gap between perceived and actual clinical competence. Participants will: Perform a baseline bandaging application (T0) assessed via a two-station Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE). Be assigned to either the supervised training session (with Kikuhime pressure sensors for feedback) or the brochure-based self-study group. Complete a post-intervention assessment (T1) to measure improvements in technical skill, pressure precision, and self-confidence levels.

Conditions

Education, Competency-Based; Student; Physical Therapy

Keywords

compression therapy; multilayer inelastic bandage training; physiotherapy and rehabilitation; Interface pressure; Physiotherapy education

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Bandaging Skills

  A Bandaging Skills Rubric was developed to objectively evaluate bandaging proficiency. To prevent bias, the rubric assessments were performed by a researcher who did not provide the training and who was specifically trained on each rubric criterion. The rubric consisted of 5 criteria, each rated on a 3-point scale: Inadequate (1 point), Satisfactory (2 points), and Proficient (3 points). The minimum and maximum possible scores for the rubric are 5 and 15, respectively. Higher rubric scores indicate superior bandaging technique and quality.

  Baseline, and immediately after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Bandage Interface Pressure

  Baseline, and immediately after the intervention

• Absolute real pressure error

  Baseline, and immediately after the intervention

• Perceived Interface Pressure

  Baseline, and immediately after the intervention

• Perceived pressure error

  Baseline, and immediately after the intervention

• Confidence in Bandage Application

  Baseline, and immediately after the intervention

Study Arms (2)

Supervised Education Group

EXPERIMENTAL

The supervised intervention consisted of a 3-hour session led by a lymphedema therapist with 14 years of experience. Training was conducted in groups of 5-9 students using peer-to-peer practice. The program included: Theory: Instruction on inelastic bandage properties, Laplace's Law, and pressure distribution principles. Demonstration: A step-by-step showcase of multi-layer below-knee bandaging, including stirrup and figure-of-eight techniques. Practice: Students practiced on peers in a supine position. Biofeedback: To master therapeutic pressure, students utilized the Kikuhime device for real-time monitoring. The instructor provided individual corrections for each application. This structured approach aimed to calibrate students' tactile perception and ensure technical mastery through expert supervision and objective feedback.

Other: Supervised Education Group

Control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The control group was provided with a brochure detailing how to perform the bandaging. All technical details provided in the supervised training were included in this brochure. Visuals were used to demonstrate the final appearance of the stirrup technique, starting and ending positions, and the positioning of both the patient and the ankle. Great care was taken to ensure that the visuals and descriptions were simple, clear, and explanatory. After the brochure was distributed, any points of confusion were clarified for the students

Other: Brochure

Interventions

Supervised Education Group OTHER

The supervised intervention consisted of a 3-hour session led by a lymphedema therapist with 14 years of experience. Training was conducted in groups of 5-9 students using peer-to-peer practice. The program included: Theory: Instruction on inelastic bandage properties, Laplace's Law, and pressure distribution principles. Demonstration: A step-by-step showcase of multi-layer below-knee bandaging, including stirrup and figure-of-eight techniques. Practice: Students practiced on peers in a supine position. Biofeedback: To master therapeutic pressure, students utilized the Kikuhime device for real-time monitoring. The instructor provided individual corrections for each application. This structured approach aimed to calibrate students' tactile perception and ensure technical mastery through expert supervision and objective feedback.

Supervised Education Group

Brochure OTHER

The control group was provided with a brochure detailing how to perform the bandaging. All technical details provided in the supervised training were included in this brochure. Visuals were used to demonstrate the final appearance of the stirrup technique, starting and ending positions, and the positioning of both the patient and the ankle. Great care was taken to ensure that the visuals and descriptions were simple, clear, and explanatory. After the brochure was distributed, any points of confusion were clarified for the students

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Volunteering to participate
• Being a student in the department of physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Being in the fourth year of study
• Having completed the Prosthetics and Rehabilitation course to ensure proficiency in the figure-of-eight bandaging technique.

You may not qualify if:

• Having any orthopedic or neurological disease that hinders upper extremity function, particularly hand use
• Presence of acute trauma to the upper extremity or hand
• Having a known allergy to compression materials, as students performed bandaging practices on one another.
• Students who had received any training or courses on compression bandaging prior to or outside of the 'Prosthetics and Rehabilitation' course

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Abant Izzet Baysal University: lead
• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University

Bolu, Central, 14030, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• 1. Trayes KP, Studdiford JS, Pickle S, Tully AS. Edema: diagnosis and management. American family physician. 2013;88:102-10. 2. Gasparis AP, Kim PS, Dean SM, Khilnani NM, Labropoulos N. Diagnostic approach to lower limb edema. Phlebology. 2020;35:650-5. 3. Michelini S, Failla A, Moneta G, Fiorentino A, Marco C. Peripheral Edema: differential diagnosis. In: Inflammation in the 21st Century. IntechOpen; 2020. 4. Miller CL, Colwell AS, Horick N, Skolny MN, Jammallo LS, O'Toole JA, et al. Immediate implant reconstruction is associated with a reduced risk of lymphedema compared to mastectomy alone: A prospective cohort study. Annals of surgery. 2016;263:399. 5. Klein I, Tidhar D, Kalichman L. Lymphatic treatments after orthopedic surgery or injury: a systematic review. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies. 2020;24:109-17. 6. de Almeida Alcantara DA, Dos Santos FNA, de Almeida Ferreira JJ, de Noronha M, de Andrade PR. The effect of kinesiotaping on edema: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 2024;:103168. 7. Feger MA, Goetschius J, Love H, Saliba SA, Hertel J. Electrical stimulation as a treatment intervention to improve function, edema or pain following acute lateral ankle sprains: A systematic review. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2015;16:361-9. 8. Wang Z-R, Ni G-X. Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture? World journal of clinical cases. 2021;9:4116. 9. Patel H, Skok CC, DeMarco A. Peripheral edema: evaluation and management in primary care. American Family Physician. 2022;106:557-64. 10. Sun C-R, Liu M-Y, Ni Q-H, Cai F, Tang F, Yu Z-Y, et al. Clinical Guidelines on Compression Therapy in Venous Diseases. Annals of Vascular Surgery. 2024. 11. Partsch H, Rockson SG. Compression therapy. Lymphedema: A Concise Compendium of Theory and Practice. 2018;:431-41. 12. Partsch H. Compression therapy: clinical and experimental evidence. Annals of vascular diseases. 2012;:ra-12.

  BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Elif DUYGU-YILDIZ

  Abant Izzet Baysal University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assist Prof.

Model Details: Quasi-experimental

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 6, 2026
• First Posted: May 18, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2026
• Study Completion: April 30, 2026
• Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

TU (1)