Reliability and Reproducibility of Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging for Assessment of Superficial Perfusion in Patients with High-Risk Feet: A Feasibility Study

Kathleen J. Finlayson; Emilia Maria Bran Hernandez; Emi Nishiyama; Jane O’Brien; Christina N. Parker

doi:10.3390/nursrep16080285

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Reliability and Reproducibility of Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging for Assessment of Superficial Perfusion in Patients with High-Risk Feet: A Feasibility Study

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Reliability and Reproducibility of Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging for Assessment of Superficial Perfusion in Patients with High-Risk Feet: A Feasibility Study

Kathleen J. Finlayson, Emilia Maria Bran Hernandez, Emi Nishiyama, Jane O’Brien and Christina N. Parker

Nursing Reports, Vol.16(8), pp.1-10

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep16080285

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Abstract

laser speckle contrast imaging

high-risk foot

superficial perfusion

reliability

Background/Objectives: Healthy macrovascular and microvascular circulation is essential for wound prevention and healing in high-risk feet. While validated methods of assessing lower limb macrocirculation exist, microcirculation assessment often relies on subjective clinical judgement. This study aimed to determine reliability and reproducibility of laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) of superficial circulation in the feet of adults attending a high-risk foot clinic. LSCI was undertaken on seven regions of the foot, and then repeated 3–5 min later. Methods: LSCI measures were compared to health and clinical measures using correlations, t-tests or ANOVA, as appropriate, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) used to analyse reliability measures. In a sample of 31 participants, good test–retest reliability was found (3–5 min apart), with ICC from 0.94 (95% CI 0.76–0.98) to 0.99 (95% CI 0.96–0.99). Results: A sub-group of 10 participants were available to test reproducibility one week later, with Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.83 to 0.97. Lower LSCI perfusion measures were significantly related to longer ulcer duration, use of a walking aid, and presence of respiratory disease or previous cerebro-vascular accident. Conclusions: These findings support the potential role of LSCI as a non-invasive method to evaluate superficial perfusion in high-risk feet.

Details

Title: Reliability and Reproducibility of Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging for Assessment of Superficial Perfusion in Patients with High-Risk Feet: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Kathleen J. Finlayson (Corresponding Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Emilia Maria Bran Hernandez (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Emi Nishiyama - St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital (Australia, Brisbane)
Jane O’Brien - University of the Sunshine Coast
Christina N. Parker - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: Nursing Reports, Vol.16(8), pp.1-10
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2026
DOI: 10.3390/nursrep16080285
ISSN: 2039-4403
Copyright note: © 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
Data Availability: Data can be obtained by reasonable request to the research team due to privacy or ethical restrictions.
Grant note: This research was funded by Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation.
Organisation Unit: Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Nursing
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991254373002621
Output Type: Journal article

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