The co-design of an exercise-based, lifestyle intervention for people with venous leg ulcers; a self-care, expert-supported strategy for a chronic condition

McIntosh, Emma; Horspool, Michelle; Levesley, Maria; Logan, Pip; Klonizakis, Markos

Abstract

Exercise is recommended as an adjunct treatment, alongside compression therapy to increase venous leg ulcer (VLU) wound healing times, however, there are no published programmes available that support patients to exercise at home on their own. To develop an exercise-based lifestyle intervention that is feasible and acceptable to people with VLUs, a participatory approach was utilised. Clinicians, researchers, and people living with VLUs collaborated in the design of “FISCU Home”. Two focus groups and nine interviews were conducted with people living with a VLU. Tissue viability nurses provided clinical expertise. Data was analysed through thematic analysis. Ten key themes were identified and incorporated into FISCU Home: (I) a condition-specific flexible programme, (II) personal assessment and tailored exercises, (III) tapered individualised support, (IV) short lower-intensity sessions, (V) chair-based options, (VI) falls prevention, (VII) accessible resources, (VIII) functional, compact, self-managed exercises, (IX) a behaviour change strategy, and (X) education. FISCU Home has integrated patients' needs and preferences with evidence-based principles and theory to create an exercise-based lifestyle intervention for people with VLUs. FISCU Home could provide a mainstream adjunct therapy in wound care and support the movement towards self-management.

Citation

McIntosh, E., Horspool, M., Levesley, M., Logan, P., & Klonizakis, M. (2023). The co-design of an exercise-based, lifestyle intervention for people with venous leg ulcers; a self-care, expert-supported strategy for a chronic condition. International Wound Journal, 20(7), 2528-2539. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14117

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 27, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Mar 8, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-09
• Deposit Date: Mar 9, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 9, 2023
• Journal: International Wound Journal
• Print ISSN: 1742-4801
• Electronic ISSN: 1742-481X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 2528-2539
• Series ISSN: 1742-4801
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14117
• Keywords: Dermatology; Surgery; Co-design; home-based exercise, lifestyle intervention, participatory research, venous leg ulcers
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/18232601
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/iwj.14117