Economic and ecological effects of bandage aids in CDT (phase I) of lymphedema - exploratory analysis of material consumption in a secondary analysis of a study on foam bandages

Background Concerning clinical efficacy and therapeutic effects of foam bandage aids in CDT, the authors conducted an RCT showing non-inferiority of foam bandages compared to standard material in the decongestion phase of arm lymphedema. The parallel assessment of padding material consumption and application time allowed the question of economic and ecological effects to be connected.Methods Explorative analysis of material consumption and application time of bandage aids in comparison with standard padding materials (usual care) in CPE phase I in patients with secondary arm lymphedema stage II to III. Results: 1. Material consumption: A total of 50.7 m of stockinette and 207 m of cotton-wool bandages were used in the control group (n=15). In contrast, a total of 92 m of reusable foam bandages were used in the intervention group (n=15). 2. Application time: The mean application time in the control group was 13.4 +/- 3.4 min, in the intervention group 10.3 +/- 2.2 min. The analysis shows a significant group difference (p=0.007).Discussion In the decongestive phase of CDT, reductions in material consumption and application time were observed in patients with arm lymphedema using foam bandages. Both parameters are also of economic relevance for physiotherapists and medical institutions. Foam bandages also have ecological effects due to their washability and thus reusability, while standard padding materials are usullay discarded after use.