Development of an Arm Elevation Device for Reducing Pain and Swelling in Patients Undergoing Hand and Arm Surgery: Design and Development Research

Abstract

This design and development research aimed to develop an innovative arm elevation device by utilizing design thinking, pathophysiology, and a literature review as the research framework. The sample group consisted of thirty post-arm and hand surgery patients admitted in a surgical ward between February and June 2022. The research instrument was an arm elevation device that can be adjusted to 4 different angles. The instruments for data collection included: 1) swelling assessment form by measuring the size of the circumference, middle of the upper arm, middle of the lower arm, and wrist; 2) pain assessment form; and 3) satisfaction assessment form. The instruments were assessed for content validity by five experts and for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients yielding values of 1.00, .94, and .95, respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze personal information and one-way repeatedmeasures analysis of variance was used to examine differences of mean pain levels and mean circumference among the three sites. The findings demonstrated a substantial difference both in the mean pain scores [F(3,87) = 504.09, p <.001] and in the mean circumferences among the three locations [F(3,87) = 1,090.46, p <.001]. Patients reported a high satisfaction with the innovation. The findings revealed that this innovation assists in the continuous elevating of the arm in accordance with the physician’s treatment plan. This innovation provides a guide for the creation of future innovations in nursing since it assists in the promotion of blood circulation, which could potentially lower pain scores and swelling rates post-surgery.