Researchers tested whether teaching patients about leg ulcers could help them heal better. They studied 87 people with venous leg ulcers (painful sores on the legs caused by poor blood flow) in Switzerland. Half received special education classes about their condition, while the other half got regular care only. After one year, both groups had similar healing rates, but the education group showed faster improvement in the first month and learned more about caring for their wounds. The study suggests that teaching patients works best when combined with other support.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether teaching patients about leg ulcers and how to care for them helps wounds heal faster and better
  • Who participated: 87 adults with venous leg ulcers (sores caused by poor blood circulation in the legs) from three clinics in Switzerland. They were randomly split into two groups: one received education classes plus regular care, and one received only regular care.
  • Key finding: After 12 months, both groups had similar complete healing rates. However, the education group showed 54% wound improvement after just one month compared to 36% in the regular care group. Patients who received education also learned more about their condition and were better at following compression therapy (wearing special bandages).
  • What it means for you: If you have a leg ulcer, education and counseling may help your wound improve faster in the early stages and help you stick to your treatment plan. However, long-term healing may need additional support beyond just education classes.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of medical studies. Researchers divided 87 patients into two equal groups by random selection. One group received a 12-month education program led by nurses that included in-person classes, counseling sessions, and regular follow-up visits. The other group received only standard medical care without the education program. Both groups were tracked for a full year to see how well their wounds healed.

The education program taught patients about their leg ulcers, how to use compression therapy (special bandages that help blood flow), the importance of staying active, and proper nutrition. Nurses also helped patients understand why following these recommendations was important and encouraged them to stick with their treatment plans.

Researchers measured several outcomes including whether wounds completely closed, how much the wound area shrank, how much patients learned about their condition, whether they followed their treatment plans, and whether ulcers came back.

This type of study design is important because it helps prove whether education actually causes better results, rather than just showing that educated patients do better (which could happen for other reasons). By randomly assigning people to groups and comparing them over a full year, researchers can be more confident that any differences are due to the education program itself.

This study has several strengths: it used random assignment to reduce bias, included 87 participants, tracked patients for a full year, and measured multiple important outcomes. However, the study was relatively small, and researchers didn’t report whether patients knew which group they were in, which could affect results. The study was conducted in Switzerland, so results may differ in other countries with different healthcare systems.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that after 12 months, both groups had similar rates of complete wound closure (the wounds fully healed). This was somewhat surprising because the education group showed much faster improvement early on. At one month, the education group had 54% reduction in wound size compared to only 36% in the regular care group—a meaningful difference.

Patients who received education learned significantly more about their condition and felt more confident managing their wounds. They were also much better at following compression therapy, which is one of the most important treatments for leg ulcers. The education group showed greater improvements in physical activity levels as well.

Interestingly, the education program did not significantly change eating habits or body weight in either group, suggesting that nutrition education alone may not be enough to change eating behaviors. The study also found that ulcer recurrence (wounds coming back) was similar in both groups.

Beyond the main results, the education group showed better self-efficacy, meaning they felt more capable of managing their condition. They also had better adherence to compression therapy early on, which likely explains the faster initial healing. The study found that improvements in knowledge and confidence happened relatively quickly in the education group, suggesting that teaching works fast for building understanding.

Previous research has suggested that patient education helps with many chronic conditions, but results for leg ulcers have been mixed. This study adds important evidence that education helps patients learn and follow treatment plans better, even if it doesn’t change the final healing rate after a full year. The finding that early healing was faster in the education group is new and encouraging, suggesting that education may help patients get off to a better start.

The study had several limitations worth noting. First, it was relatively small with only 87 participants, so results might not apply to all populations. Second, the study only lasted 12 months, so we don’t know if benefits continue longer. Third, the education program was quite intensive (12 months of classes and counseling), so it’s unclear which parts were most helpful. Fourth, the study didn’t find differences in nutrition behavior, which might mean the nutrition education wasn’t strong enough or that people find it harder to change eating habits than other behaviors. Finally, the study was done in Switzerland, so results may differ in other countries.

The Bottom Line

If you have a leg ulcer, consider asking your healthcare provider about patient education programs, especially nurse-led programs that teach about compression therapy and staying active. These programs appear to help wounds improve faster in the early stages and help you follow your treatment plan better. However, education works best when combined with regular medical care and may need to be supported by additional help for long-term success. For nutrition changes, you may need extra support beyond standard education classes.

This research is most relevant for people with venous leg ulcers (sores caused by poor blood circulation) who want to improve their healing and understand their condition better. Healthcare providers managing leg ulcers should consider offering structured education programs. People with other types of wounds or ulcers should talk to their doctors about whether these findings apply to them. This research is less relevant for people without leg ulcers.

Based on this study, you might expect to see faster wound improvement within the first month of starting an education program. However, complete healing typically takes several months, and the study showed that both groups had similar healing rates by 12 months. Benefits in terms of better knowledge and following treatment plans should appear relatively quickly, within weeks of starting the program.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track wound size weekly by measuring the longest length and width of your ulcer in centimeters, and note the date. Also track how many days per week you wore your compression bandages as prescribed. This gives you two important metrics: healing progress and treatment adherence.
  • Use the app to set reminders for putting on compression bandages at the same time each day, and log when you complete this task. Create a simple checklist for daily activities like walking or light exercise, and track completion. Set weekly goals for following your treatment plan and celebrate when you meet them.
  • Review your wound measurements and compression therapy adherence weekly to spot trends early. If your wound isn’t shrinking by at least 10-15% per month, or if you’re missing compression therapy more than once a week, discuss this with your healthcare provider. Use the app to share photos and measurements with your care team during virtual visits to track progress together.

This research describes a clinical study and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have a leg ulcer or chronic wound, consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or education program. Results from this study may not apply to all individuals or all types of wounds. Always follow your doctor’s specific recommendations for your care. This summary is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.