Effect of Buerger Allen Exercise on Health Outcomes of Patients with Varicose Veins.

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.