Dataset Information

Rehabilitation technology for self-care: Customised foot and ankle exercise software for people with diabetes.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

To develop and validate the content of a free web-based software (desktop and mobile applications) for the self-management of and customised foot-ankle exercises for people with diabetes and diabetic neuropathy.

Methods

The development of the programme was based on gamification principles and addressed three main areas: foot care recommendations; self-assessment of feet according to the main complications of diabetic neuropathy; and customised foot-ankle exercises to strengthen muscles, increase the range of motion and improve functionality. The content was validated using the Delphi methodology and a quantitative approach in two rounds with diabetes specialists (n = 9) and users with diabetes (n = 20). A 70% approval rate was considered sufficient in the second round for final validation purposes. The data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, absolute and relative frequencies and the content-validity index (CVI).

Results

Among specialists, the CVI was 0.812 after the first round, and final approval was 100% after the second round. Among users, the CVI was 0.902 in the first round, and the final approval was 97%.

Conclusion

This free access web software was developed based on the high agreement rating between specialists and users and has the potential to prevent complications arising from diabetic polyneuropathy. It allows for self-monitoring and promotes personalised exercises, following a preventive model that can be applied in primary and secondary care services as a complementary treatment for chronic complications. However, further steps to validate the software in a larger population are recommended.

SUBMITTER: Ferreira JSSP

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6586406 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Rehabilitation technology for self-care: Customised foot and ankle exercise software for people with diabetes.

Ferreira Jane S S P JSSP Sacco Isabel C N ICN Siqueira Alisson A AA Almeida Maria H M MHM Sartor Cristina D CD

PloS one 20190620 6

<h4>Aims</h4>To develop and validate the content of a free web-based software (desktop and mobile applications) for the self-management of and customised foot-ankle exercises for people with diabetes and diabetic neuropathy.<h4>Methods</h4>The development of the programme was based on gamification principles and addressed three main areas: foot care recommendations; self-assessment of feet according to the main complications of diabetic neuropathy; and customised foot-ankle exercises to strength ...[more]

PMID: 31220155

Similar Datasets

Project description:BACKGROUND:Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) negatively affects foot and ankle function (strength and flexibility), which itself affects the daily physical activity and quality of life of patients. A physical therapy protocol aiming to strengthen the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles and increase flexibility may be a promising approach to improve lower-extremity function, prevent further complications, and improve autonomy for daily living activities in these patients. Thus, the inclusion of a specific foot-related exercises focused on the main musculoskeletal impairments may have additional effects to the conventional interventions in the diabetic foot. METHODS/DESIGN:A prospective, parallel-group, outcome-assessor blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted in 77 patients with DPN who will be randomly allocated to usual care (control arm) or usual care with supervised foot-ankle exercises aiming to increase strengh and flexibility twice a week for 12 weeks and remotely supervised foot-ankle exercises for a year through a web software. Patients will be evaluated 5 times in a 1 year period regarding daily physical activity level, self-selected and fast gait speeds (primary outcomes), foot ulcer incidence, ulcer risk classification, neuropathy testing, passive ankle range of motion, quality of life, foot health and functionality, foot muscle strength, plantar pressure, and foot-ankle kinematics and kinetics during gait. DISCUSSION:This study aims to assess the effect of a foot-ankle strength and flexibility program on a wide range of musculoskeletal, activity-related, biomechanical, and clinical outcomes in DPN patients. We intend to demonstrate evidence that the year-long training program is effective in increasing gait speed and daily physical activity level and in improving quality of life; foot strength, functionality, and mobility; and biomechanics while walking. The results will be published as soon as they are available. TRIAL REGISTRATION:This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02790931 (June 6, 2016) under the name "Effects of foot muscle strengthening in daily activity in diabetic neuropathic patients".

Dataset Information

Rehabilitation technology for self-care: Customised foot and ankle exercise software for people with diabetes.

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Rehabilitation technology for self-care: Customised foot and ankle exercise software for people with diabetes.

Similar Datasets

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