Multilayer Inelastic Bandage Training in Physiotherapy Students

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

Interventions

OTHER

Supervised Education Group

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

Brochure

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

  collaborator OTHER

• Abant Izzet Baysal University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Elif DUYGU-YILDIZ · Abant Izzet Baysal University

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-09-01

Primary Completion

2026-04-30

Completion

2026-04-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations