Psychological stress level surveys in patients with diabetic foot ulcers and the application effect of using loofah sponges during VSD treatment.

Objective: To investigate the psychological stress levels in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and evaluate the effects of using a luffa sponge in vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) treatment.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data from 110 DFU patients treated with VSD at The First People's Hospital of Zunyi (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University) between September 2021 and October 2023. Patients were categorized into two groups based on psychological stress levels: an observation group (with psychological stress, n=42) and a control group (without psychological stress, n=68). Baseline data were analyzed to identify factors influencing psychological stress. The observation group was further divided into the conventional care group and the loofah fiber care group, each with 21 patients, to evaluate the effect of using a loofah sponge during VSD treatment.

Results: Logistic regression analysis identified Wagner classification and diabetes-related distress levels as significant factors influencing psychological stress (P<0.05). Post-intervention, the loofah fiber care group showed significantly lower scores on HQ-9, GAD-7, and SRSS (all P<0.05). Additionally, the loofah fiber care group showed lower frequencies of ASD dressing changes, shorter wound healing times, shorter hospital stays, and lower VAS pain scores (all P<0.05). Quality of life scores were significantly higher in the loofah fiber care group across all dimensions (P<0.05), and DASS-21 scores were significantly lower post-intervention (P<0.05). The loofah fiber care group also demonstrated significantly better outcomes in Wagner classification and diabetes-related distress levels, with higher patient satisfaction (all P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study highlights significant factors influencing psychological stress in patients with DFU and demonstrates that loofah fiber nursing interventions during VSD treatment improve psychological stress, wound healing, and quality of life. This method provides a promising approach to enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction.