Describing the relationship between the temperature profiles of the skin covered by a leg cast and the health of that skin in hospitalized children with disabilities
Summary
Children with disabilities are at risk of having pressure injuries from long stays at the hospital. This is especially a concern for non-verbal or pre-verbal children since they cannot express discomfort and may have reduced sensation. We are investigating the use of thermal imaging to monitor pressure injuries due to leg casts. The study involves collecting thermal images of the casted limbs and clinical assessments of skin condition twice a day over one week. This research may help us develop technology to monitor and prevent pressure injuries for patients in the future.
Call to action
Is your child staying at Holland Bloorview for a leg cast? Consider participating in our research study to monitor pressure injuries in children with a leg cast.
Who can participate
To be eligible to participate in the study, you must:
- Be 18 years old or under,
- Be able to independently communicate in English without requiring an interpreter,
- Are admitted for inpatient rehabilitation at the Specialized orthopedic and developmental rehab (SODR) unit,
- Have a leg cast (plaster or fiberglass) that will stay on for at least 1 week,
- Are at risk for a pressure injury,
- Can tolerate 5 minutes of thermal imaging at a time.
Funding agency
PRISM Lab
What's involved
- We will collect some personal health information about you, such as personal characteristics, primary diagnosis, details of your orthopedic surgery and casting, pressure injury risk and prevention strategies.
- Thermal imaging sessions of 10 minutes per day over 1 week. Images of your leg cast and the room will be taken twice daily (morning and evening) on weekdays. This will take 5 minutes each.
- Your clinician will periodically check your skin condition and assess any pressure injuries (if present).
Deadline
Interested in participating
If you are interested in participating in this study or have additional questions, please contact Jason Leung at jleung@hollandbloorview.ca or 416-425-6220 x6236. Contacting us does not obligate you to participate in the study.
Additional information
Version date: July 24, 2024
eREB# 0723 - Describing the relationship between the temperature profiles of the skin covered by a leg cast and the health of that skin in hospitalized children with disabilities
Deadline: December 30th, 2025, or until 5 participants have been recruited.
