This pilot study will make a preliminary evaluation of the efficacy of 2 Feet 4 Life, a foot care self-management program, on foot care knowledge, foot care self-efficacy, foot care behaviors, and foot pain in community dwelling older adults without diabetes mellitus.
One in three older adults have foot problems such as bunions, corns, calluses, foot pain, or nail disorders, but those problems are often ignored or overlooked until they threaten mobility or quality of life. With proper self-management, skin and nail problems can be addressed before they become severe; however, older adults without diabetes are not routinely informed of self-management techniques unless they consult a specialist. Targeting a foot care self-management program to community-dwelling older adults without diabetes may not only enhance foot function and preserve independence but also reach older adults with limited healthcare access. Study participants will be 24 nondiabetic older adults recruited from two Midwestern community senior centers. One community center will be randomized to receive the intervention, 2 Feet 4 Life, the other will be a true control group receiving no intervention. The 2 Feet 4 Life foot care self-management program is based on Social Cognitive Theory and will be delivered in four weekly, one-hour group sessions. The program includes self-management teaching, interactive lecture, and group activities, including instruction, demonstration, and practice of routine foot care. In addition to usual lecture and handouts, 2 Feet 4 Life will rely on group interaction, practice opportunities, and the provision of foot care supplies so participants can perform foot care at home. Program topics include appropriate foot hygiene and footwear, identification and treatment of common foot problems, demonstration of proper foot care with opportunities for practice and instructor feedback, and guidance in obtaining appropriate footwear. Outcome measures will be assessed pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, three months post-intervention, and six months post-intervention. This will be the first study to test a nurse run, community-based, foot care self-management program for non-diabetic older adults.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
32
2 Feet 4 Life consists of four weekly group intervention sessions of one hour each. 2 Feet 4 Life includes self-management teaching, interactive lecture, and group activities, including instruction and demonstration of routine foot care. The program includes education regarding appropriate footwear and how to find it, evidenced based practices on hygiene, skin care and self-care of the lower extremities, nail trimming and filing, and care of common foot problems.
Broken Arrow Seniors
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, United States
Owasso Community Center
Owasso, Oklahoma, United States
Foot Self-Care Knowledge Questionnaire
0-11 scale with higher numbers indicating more knowledge
Time frame: Baseline, one month, three months, six months
Foot Care Confidence Scale
12-60 scale with greater scores indicating greater self-efficacy
Time frame: Baseline, one month, three months, six months
Nottingham Assessment of Functional Foot Care
Scale of 0-87 with higher scores revealing more appropriate foot self-care
Time frame: Baseline, one month, three months, six months
Manchester Foot Pain and Disability INdex
0-34 scale with higher scores indicating more pain and disability
Time frame: Baseline, one month, three months, six months
Foot Health Score
Scale 0-90 provider assessment of foot problems. Higher score indicate more severe foot problems and greater severity.
Time frame: Baseline, one month, three months, six months
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