The purpose of this study was to find out whether a method of nonvisual foot inspection, using the senses of touch and smell, helps people with diabetes and visual impairment to find new foot problems when they are in early, easily-treated stages. All people in the study had regular foot inspections by podiatrists. The results include how people feel about the method, whether they actually did check their feet it, and whether the method helped them to discover foot problems themselves.
Data gathered over the course of 1 year: * bimonthly phone calls to ask about foot care practices at home over the last week * a baseline comprehensive foot evaluation and 4 additional comprehensive evaluations every 3 months Qualitative data: \- Focus groups immediately after comprehensive diabetes self-management education, and 1 year later, to determine acceptability of foot care procedures and patient perceptions about effectiveness
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
Teaching use of nonvisual senses (tactile and olfactory) to empower people with diabetes and visual impairment to perform a systematic self-examination of their own feet
Standard instructions for foot care for people with visual impairment include advice to have a sighted family member or friend check the person's feet regularly
Cleveland Foot and Ankle Institute
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Days per week participants performed foot inspection
Number of days in the last week each participants reported checking their feet for problems, using nonvisual methods (experimental group) or with assistance form someone else (comparison group)
Time frame: every 2 months for 1 year
Number of foot problems discovered
Number of foot problems discovered by podiatrists or at home by participants
Time frame: every 3 months for 1 year
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.