Effectiveness of a foot self-management intervention that utilized commercially available infrared thermometers:
Kathleen Stevens1, Donna Moralejo1, Steven Ersser2
1Memorial Univeristy Faculty of Nursing, 300 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6, Canada.
Objective:
To evaluate the effectiveness of a foot self-management strategy that utilized a commercially-available infrared thermometer (CAIT) for prevention of diabetic foot ulcers.
Research Design And Methods:
In this six-month pilot randomized controlled trial, Phase 2 of a three-phase mixed methods research study, 62 participants were randomized to a thermometer and education group (n = 34) and an education-only group (n = 26). Both groups received foot care education and were assessed by a certified orthotist. All participants recorded their number of steps and recorded a foot assessment in a logbook daily. The thermometer and education group also recorded their daily temperature assessment. A temperature difference of >4° Fahrenheit (F) between the two feet prompted participants to rest their feet. Participants were directed to see their healthcare provider if the temperature difference did not decrease to below 4° F in two days. Phase 3 of the study explored the Phase 2 results to understand the findings further.
Results:
The strategy improved foot assessment and action: the thermometer and education group had significantly more days with any assessment completed than the education-only group (150.98/180 vs. 119.84/180, p = 0.02). Phase 3 findings showed that the thermometer engaged participants, prompted action, and offered reassurance regarding foot health.
Conclusions:
A CAIT is a tool that could support foot self-management and may offer several benefits, such as promoting and providing structure for a foot assessment and direction for action.
Clinical Trial Reg No:
NCT0306776 clinicaltrials.gov.
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