Abstract

Purpose: Knowing the effect of compression therapy on the value of the Ankle Brachial Index in the healing process of Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

Design: This study used a quasi-experimental method with pretest-posttest with control group design with purposive sampling and non-equivalent control groups for eight weeks of treatment.

Subjects and Setting: Patients diagnosed with Diabetic Foot Ulcer have and have Peripheral Artery Disease, patient characteristics are homogenized, age >18 years, wound care every three days, Ankle Brachial Index values between 0.6–1.3 mmHg, research three clinics in Indonesia in February 2021.

Methods: The population with Diabetic Foot Ulcer was screened by inclusion criteria with Ankle Brachial Index and Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool instruments, a total of n=140; in the study, thirteen samples were excluded, the intervention group was given Compression Therapy n= 68, and the control group was compression stockings for eight weeks n=59, the data were statistically analyzed non-parametric test using Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U.

Results: Statistical analysis showed that the mean difference in paired group means was 26.4%. Meanwhile, in the mean analysis, the difference in the post-test healing of diabetic foot ulcers was 2.83%; p=0.000 and improvement of peripheral microcirculation was 33.02%; p=0.000 in the eighth week. Thus, compression therapy intervention in diabetic foot ulcer patients can improve peripheral microcirculation and increase Diabetic Foot Ulcers healing compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Compression therapy tailored to the patient's needs and according to standard operating procedures can improve peripheral microcirculation, so that blood flow in the legs becomes normal; it can speed up the healing process of Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Keywords: Compression therapy, diabetic foot ulcers, ankle brachial index, peripheral artery, quasi-experimental method, blood flow.