Use of sensory modulation approaches to improve compression garment adherence in adults after burn: An e-Delphi study

Abstract

Background: Sensory over-responsiveness, identified through self-report and quantitative sensory testing, has been associated with compression garment non-adherence in a burn-injured cohort. This study sought expert consensus on the usefulness of, and recommendations for, sensory modulation strategies to improve compression garment adherence in sensory over-responsive adults after burn. Method: Experts in the field of sensory modulation were invited to participate in a mixed-methods, three-round electronic Delphi study. Results: Experts (N = 18) agreed that sensory modulation therapy may be a useful clinical tool to improve compression garment adherence. Twenty-two items reached consensus as essential to assessment, treatment, or therapist training. Conclusion: With adequate therapist training and individualized assessment and treatment, sensory modulation strategies may be a useful clinical approach to improving compression garment adherence in those who are sensory over-responsive after burn. Further research is needed to gather perceptions from burns therapists, and to implement and evaluate the effectiveness in clinical practice.