Geko versus Intermittent Pneumatic Compression in Venous Leg Ulcer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Intermittent pneumatic compression of the foot versus gekoTM plus R-2 neuromuscular electrostimulation device in venous leg ulcer patients: comparison of effects on lower limb circulation.
IRAS ID
215435
Contact name
Matthew Womack
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
There are several reasons why a person may develop an ulcer on their leg. One of the most common is a failure of the veins to pump blood back towards the heart. Most patients who develop an ulcer because of this will be offered treatments that compress the leg and force blood through the veins, taking the pressure off the skin and helping to heal the ulcer. One form of this treatment is intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC). This device is wrapped around the leg and intermittently inflates and deflates, applying pressure to the leg and helping to improve the circulation. The geko device uses intermittent electrical impulses to stimulate the calf muscles to contract, and in doing so, forcing blood through the veins and back towards the heart.
Our knowledge of how ulcers develops suggests that the more the blood flow is increased, the quicker the leg ulcer will heal. This research compares the effect of these two devices on blood flow through the leg, to see which is most effective.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1795
Date of REC Opinion
9 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion