Background: Varicose veins disease is a chronic venous disease that progressively diminishes
patients’ quality of life and imposes an escalating strain on healthcare resources. Aim of the study:
To evaluate the effect of Buerger Allen exercise on health outcomes of patients with lower limbs’
varicose veins. Research design: Quasi-experimental (pre and post intervention) comparison study
design. Setting: General surgery outpatients’ clinic at Benha University Hospital, Benha, Qalyubia
Governorate, Egypt. Sample: Purposive sample of 69 adult patients with grade 3 lower limbs’
varicose veins. Tools: Five tools were used; (1) Structured interviewing questionnaire, (2) National
Health Service varicose vein grading system, (3) Pain visual analog scale, (4) Pitting edema grading
system and (5) Patients' practice observational checklist. Results: There was a highly significant
statistical difference (p ≤ 0.001) regarding studied patients' total knowledge & practice throughout
different study phases of implementing educational intervention. Also, there was a highly significant
statistical difference (p ≤ 0.001) regarding studied patients' lower limbs’ pain intensity & grade of
edema throughout different study phases of implementing Buerger Allen exercise, while there was no
deterioration in studied patients' grade of varicose veins. Conclusion: The educational intervention
was effective in improving patients’ level of total knowledge & practice regarding lower limb’s
varicose veins & Buerger Allen exercise. Also, Buerger Allen exercise was effective in decreasing
patients’ lower limbs’ pain intensity & grade of edema, as well as preventing deterioration of
patients’ grade of varicose veins and preventing complications. Recommendations: Ongoing
educational interventions are needed to improve patients’ health outcomes, knowledge & practice
regarding lower limb’s varicose veins & Buerger Allen exercise. |
