Footwraps as a Sock Alternative in Disaster Settings: Insights From Trench Foot Prevention

Trench foot develops after prolonged exposure of the feet to cold, wet conditions (e.g., during floods in cold climates), causing pain, swelling, and impaired gait. It can be prevented by maintaining dry feet and changing socks whenever they become wet. However, sock shortages are common in disaster settings. A practical alternative is cloth footwrapping. This study evaluated footwrap skill acquisition across different age groups and assessed the feasibility of footwraps as sock substitutes.

A total of 100 laypersons from four age groups completed 10 footwrapping trials. Subsequently, participants performed walking trials wearing shoes, with one foot wrapped and the other unwrapped. Technique acquisition and sock-substitution outcomes were analyzed statistically. Stability, shoe tightness, and acceptability were summarized as frequencies.

Achieving optimal footwrap tightness was the most challenging aspect of the technique. Participants aged ≥70 years required more trials and time to acquire the technique. Footwraps showed favorable results across most sock-substitution measures, except for friction-related pain reduction. Among the participants, 17 experienced loosening within 30 min, 2 reported shoe tightness, and all indicated a willingness to use footwraps as sock substitutes in shelters.

Footwraps may be practical sock alternatives in resource-limited environments; however, age-related differences in skill acquisition warrant tailored instruction.