MedPath

Foot Self-care in Older Adults

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Foot
Interventions
Behavioral: 2 Feet 4 Life
Registration Number
NCT03656341
Lead Sponsor
University of Missouri-Columbia
Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

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.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
32
Inclusion Criteria
  • 65 years of age or older
  • legally competent to sign informed consent
  • willing to participate in the study
Exclusion Criteria
  • self-reports of diabetes
  • non-traumatic amputation
  • legal blindness.
  • demonstrated inability to see and remove dot stickers on the feet
  • active ingrown toenails
  • absent pedal pulses
  • poor sensation as defined by the inability to feel more than 3 of 10 foot sites touched with a microfilament
  • regular visits to a healthcare professional for foot care
  • score of <2 on the mental status screener.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
2 Feet 4 Life2 Feet 4 LifeIntervention group will receive one hour intervention weekly for four consecutive weeks. Outcomes will be measured at baseline (before the intervention), immediately after the intervention (1 month), three months post-intervention, and six months post-intervention
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Nottingham Assessment of Functional Foot CareBaseline, one month, three months, six months

Scale of 0-87 with higher scores revealing more appropriate foot self-care

Manchester Foot Pain and Disability INdexBaseline, one month, three months, six months

0-34 scale with higher scores indicating more pain and disability

Foot Self-Care Knowledge QuestionnaireBaseline, one month, three months, six months

0-11 scale with higher numbers indicating more knowledge

Foot Care Confidence ScaleBaseline, one month, three months, six months

12-60 scale with greater scores indicating greater self-efficacy

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Foot Health ScoreBaseline, one month, three months, six months

Scale 0-90 provider assessment of foot problems. Higher score indicate more severe foot problems and greater severity.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Broken Arrow Seniors

🇺🇸

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, United States

Owasso Community Center

🇺🇸

Owasso, Oklahoma, United States

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