The effect of structured checklist-assisted multimedia interactive education on postoperative pain management and quality of life in patients with lower extremity varicose veins: a randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up

Objective Lower extremity varicose veins (LEVV) are common chronic venous disorders. Adherence to perioperative self-care plays a vital role in managing postoperative pain and enhancing long-term quality of life (QoL). Traditional health education models often struggle with issues such as incomplete information and high cognitive load. Methods This study utilized a single-blind, randomized controlled trial design. LEVV patients were randomly assigned to either an intervention group [checklist-enhanced multimedia interactive education (CE-MIE), n = 96] or a control group [multimedia interactive education (MIE), n = 97]. Both groups received standard perioperative care and multimedia educational resources. The intervention group also used a structured checklist for a comprehensive, bidirectional verification of educational content (including ankle pump exercises, limb elevation and discharge instructions) and key skills, with patients required to score >80 points on elastic stocking wearing skills. Primary outcomes included QoL scores, pain levels, and complication rates. Results The CE-MIE group showed significantly better QoL scores at 1 month postoperatively compared to the MIE group (32.74 ± 4.72 vs. 35.49 ± 4.01, p < 0.001). Additionally, the CE-MIE group reported lower pain scores on the 3rd and 7th postoperative days. However, there were no significant differences in QoL scores between the two groups at the 1-year follow-up, and long-term pain assessment at 1 year was not included in the study design as the primary focus was on acute recovery. Conclusion CE-MIE is an effective short-term intervention for improving QoL and pain management in LEVV patients. To address the challenge of long-term decay in intervention effectiveness, future studies should explore ways to extend the “in-hospital standardization” model to promote “out-of-hospital sustainability.”