Researchers are planning a study to test whether short educational videos help patients with venous leg ulcers—painful sores affecting 1% of Western populations—learn better self-care than traditional information pamphlets. According to Gram Research analysis, the randomized controlled trial will enroll 144 patients and measure knowledge, self-care skills, healing success, and ulcer recurrence over 12 months. Results are expected by late 2027 and could show whether video-based education becomes a more effective, accessible teaching method for this chronic condition.
Researchers are testing whether short educational videos can help patients with venous leg ulcers—painful sores that don’t heal easily—better than traditional information sheets. The study will teach 144 patients about wound care, compression therapy, and healthy habits through videos versus standard pamphlets. Venous ulcers affect about 1 in 100 people in Western countries and often come back repeatedly, costing healthcare systems significant money. If videos work better, they could become an easy, affordable way to help patients care for themselves and prevent ulcers from returning. Results are expected by the end of 2027.
Key Statistics
Venous leg ulcers affect approximately 1% of the population in Western countries and have a tendency to become chronic and recur frequently, according to a 2026 randomized controlled trial protocol published in JMIR Research Protocols.
A planned randomized controlled trial of 144 patients will compare four short educational videos against standard information pamphlets to determine which method better improves patient knowledge and self-care skills for venous leg ulcers.
The study will track patient outcomes at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months to measure whether video-based education produces lasting improvements in wound healing and prevents ulcer recurrence.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether teaching patients about leg ulcers through short videos works better than giving them information pamphlets at the doctor’s office.
- Who participated: 144 adults with venous leg ulcers (painful sores on the legs caused by poor blood circulation) who visit outpatient nursing clinics. The study excludes people with memory problems, severe arterial disease, or mixed-type ulcers.
- Key finding: This is a protocol study—the actual research hasn’t been completed yet. The trial is designed to compare video education versus pamphlet education and measure whether patients learn better and take better care of their wounds.
- What it means for you: If videos prove more effective, your doctor’s office might soon offer educational videos instead of just paper handouts to help you manage leg ulcers better and prevent them from coming back. This could make treatment more accessible and easier to understand.
The Research Details
This is a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of medical research. Researchers will divide 144 patients into two groups: one group watches four short educational videos about leg ulcers, while the other group receives standard printed information sheets. The videos will cover important topics like understanding the condition, taking medications correctly, using compression therapy (special bandages that help healing), eating well, and staying active.
Patients will be tested at the beginning, then at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and again at 12 months by phone to see how much they learned and how well they’re caring for their wounds. Researchers will use standardized questionnaires—the same questions for everyone—to measure knowledge, self-care skills, overall well-being, treatment success, and whether ulcers come back.
Before starting the full study, researchers conducted a smaller feasibility study to test their methods and make sure the questionnaires worked well. This preliminary testing confirmed that patients found the questions acceptable and that collecting data digitally was practical.
Patient education is crucial for managing chronic wounds like venous leg ulcers because these sores tend to heal slowly and often return. By testing whether videos work better than pamphlets, researchers can find the most effective way to teach patients about their condition. If videos prove superior, they’re easier to share, can reach more people, and patients can watch them multiple times. This matters because better-educated patients typically take better care of themselves, which could reduce healing time and prevent expensive complications.
This study design is strong because it randomly assigns patients to groups, which reduces bias. The researchers are using validated measurement tools—questionnaires that have been proven reliable in previous research. A preliminary feasibility study confirmed the methods work. However, this is a protocol paper describing the planned study, not the actual results. The trial is still pending ethics approval and won’t begin recruiting patients until spring 2026, with results expected by late 2027. The study excludes certain patients (those with cognitive problems or arterial disease), so findings may not apply to everyone with leg ulcers.
What the Results Show
This paper is a protocol—a detailed plan for research that hasn’t been conducted yet. Therefore, there are no actual results to report. The study is designed to measure two main outcomes: (1) how much patients learn about venous leg ulcers and (2) how well patients can care for their wounds themselves. The researchers will compare these outcomes between the video group and the pamphlet group.
The study will also track secondary outcomes including patients’ overall well-being, whether treatment is successful, and how often ulcers return. By measuring these outcomes at multiple time points (1, 3, 6, and 12 months), researchers can see whether the benefits of video education last over time or fade away.
When the actual trial is completed in 2027, researchers will analyze whether patients who watched videos had significantly better knowledge, self-care skills, and healing outcomes compared to those who received pamphlets. This comparison will help determine if video-based education should become standard practice in clinics.
Beyond knowledge and self-care skills, the study will examine whether video education improves patients’ quality of life and sense of well-being. Researchers will also track the actual success of treatment—whether ulcers heal completely—and recurrence rates, which is particularly important because venous ulcers frequently return. These secondary outcomes matter because they show whether better education translates into real health improvements, not just more knowledge.
Current research suggests that patient education can improve outcomes for chronic wounds, but there’s uncertainty about which teaching method works best. Some studies show that interactive, visual learning (like videos) may be more effective than written materials alone, especially for older adults or those with lower health literacy. This trial will provide direct evidence comparing video versus pamphlet education specifically for venous leg ulcers, filling an important gap in the research.
This is a protocol study, so actual limitations won’t be clear until results are published. However, several design features may affect how broadly findings apply: the study excludes patients with cognitive impairment, severe arterial disease, or mixed-type ulcers, so results may not apply to these populations. The study is conducted in outpatient nursing clinics, which may differ from hospital or home settings. Patient compliance with watching videos versus reading pamphlets could vary. Additionally, the 12-month follow-up via telephone rather than in-person assessment may affect data quality.
The Bottom Line
This is a protocol study, so specific clinical recommendations cannot be made yet. However, according to Gram Research analysis, the planned trial will provide evidence about whether video-based education should become standard practice for patients with venous leg ulcers. Once results are available in 2027, healthcare providers may be able to recommend video education as a more effective alternative to pamphlets. Current evidence suggests that any patient education—whether video or written—is better than no education for managing these chronic wounds.
This research is most relevant to: (1) patients with venous leg ulcers who want to learn the best ways to care for their wounds, (2) nurses and doctors who treat leg ulcers and want to provide the most effective education, (3) healthcare administrators looking to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs, and (4) people at risk for venous ulcers (those with poor circulation or a family history). The findings may be less applicable to patients with cognitive impairment, severe arterial disease, or other types of ulcers.
Since this trial hasn’t started yet, actual results won’t be available until late 2027. If you currently have a venous leg ulcer, don’t wait for these results—work with your healthcare provider now on wound care, compression therapy, and lifestyle changes. The benefits of good self-care are immediate and well-established. When video education becomes available, it may enhance what you’re already doing, but it won’t replace professional medical care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are venous leg ulcers and why do they keep coming back?
Venous leg ulcers are slow-healing sores caused by poor blood circulation in the legs. They affect about 1 in 100 people and frequently recur because the underlying circulation problem persists. Better patient education about compression therapy, activity, and nutrition may help prevent them from returning.
Is watching educational videos better than reading pamphlets for learning about leg ulcer care?
A 2026 randomized controlled trial will test this question with 144 patients, comparing four educational videos against standard information sheets. Results expected by late 2027 will show whether videos improve knowledge and self-care skills better than pamphlets for venous leg ulcer management.
When will this research be completed and what will it tell us?
The trial is pending ethics approval and will begin recruiting patients in spring 2026, with results available by the end of 2027. The study will determine whether video-based education should become standard practice in clinics for teaching patients about wound care, compression therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Can I use these educational videos now to help my leg ulcer heal?
The videos are still being tested and won’t be widely available until after the study concludes in 2027. Currently, work with your healthcare provider on proven treatments: compression therapy, proper wound care, elevation, and activity modifications. Ask your clinic if they offer any educational resources now.
Who should not participate in this leg ulcer education study?
The study excludes patients with cognitive impairment, ankle-brachial index below 0.90 (indicating severe arterial disease), arterial insufficiency, or mixed-type ulcers. These exclusions ensure the study focuses on patients with straightforward venous ulcers who can fully participate in the education program.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your leg ulcer healing progress by measuring wound size weekly (length × width in centimeters) and photographing the ulcer from the same angle under consistent lighting. Record compression therapy adherence (hours worn per day) and note any changes in pain, swelling, or skin appearance.
- If video education becomes available through your healthcare provider or app, commit to watching one educational video per week and implementing one new self-care skill each month. Start with compression therapy technique, then progress to nutrition changes, activity modifications, and medication management.
- Create a monthly check-in routine: review your wound measurements and photos, assess your compression therapy compliance, track any ulcer recurrence, and rate your overall well-being on a 1-10 scale. Share this data with your healthcare provider at each appointment to adjust your care plan as needed.
This article describes a research protocol for a study that has not yet been completed. No clinical results are available. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have venous leg ulcers or suspect you do, consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. Do not delay seeking medical care while waiting for research results. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for wound care, compression therapy, and lifestyle modifications.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.