Ulcer study calls for participants

5th June 2015

A Sheffield Hallam University study into the use of exercise as a supportive tool to help healing of venous ulcers has opened a new recruitment and training site in Lincoln.

A research team led by Dr Markos Klonizakis, research fellow at Sheffield Hallam University, is examining whether personalised, moderate-intensity exercise combined with traditional compression therapy, helps ulcers heal faster. The team are also hoping that treatment will see less chance of the ulcers returning as the underlying small vein condition, which appears to initiate the ulcers, is treated at the same time. Dr Markos Klonizakis said: "Venous ulceration is a devastating condition caused by incompetence of the venous valves in the lower leg. Although if ulcers are properly cared for can heal relatively quickly, they often come back, causing further devastation to patients and pressure on the NHS." Mr Geoff Middleton, senior lecturer in the School of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Lincoln, said: -We are excited to be involved in such an important study. We do hope that this research will help us unveil the potential of exercise, and help venous ulcer patients to reduce their treatment journey time." Study participants in Sheffield and Lincoln will be assigned randomly to either the normal treatment group or the exercise group (which will combine normal compression treatment and regular exercise sessions). Assessment and training visits will take place at Sheffield Hallam University's Collegiate Campus and the University of Lincoln campus at Brayford Marina. Participants will also benefit from free parking on the training and assessment grounds, free exercise training sessions at convenient times for the participants and support towards travelling expenses. The study is supported by Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust and the Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust. For more information on the study please contact Miss Emma McIntosh at 0114 2252262 or email e.mcintosh@shu.ac.uk