Controlling compression bandaging pressure in leg ulcer research trials: A summary of the literature

Compression bandaging remains the 'gold standard' intervention for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Numerous studies have investigated the effect of a large variety of compression bandaging techniques and materials on venous leg ulcer healing. However, the majority of these studies failed to monitor both actual bandage application pressures and the bandaging competency of participating clinicians. A series of literature searches to explore the methods, practices, recommendations and results of monitoring compression bandaging pressures in leg ulcer research trials were undertaken. This included investigating the reliability and validity of sub-bandage pressure monitors and the degree to which compression bandaging achieves the recommended sub-bandage pressure. The literature revealed inconsistencies regarding the monitoring of sub-bandage pressure and in sub-bandage pressures produced by clinicians. This creates difficulties when comparing study outcomes and attempting to develop evidence-based practice recommendations.