MedPath

Effects of Customized Silicone Digital Orthoses in People With Diabetic Neuropathy

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Diabetic Neuropathies
Interventions
Device: Custom silicone digital orthosis (CSDO)
Registration Number
NCT05683106
Lead Sponsor
University of Sao Paulo General Hospital
Brief Summary

The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the use of customized silicone digital orthoses for six months in the distribution of plantar pressure, in the reduction of pre-ulcerative lesions and plantar ulcers in the forefoot, foot deformities, quality of life and foot health and functionality in people with diabetes and neuropathy with risk category 2 and 3 for ulcers, according to the International Working Group on Diabetic Foot.

Detailed Description

The present study aims to evaluate the effects and safety of the use of customized silicone digital orthoses for six months in the plantar pressure distribution during gait, in the reduction of pre-ulcerative lesions and plantar ulcers at forefoot, in functional balance, foot deformities, quality of life and foot health and functionality in people with diabetes and and diabetic neuropathy with risk category 2 and 3, according to the International Working Group on Diabetic Foot.

The sample will consist of 60 participants, who will be randomly allocated, in a randomized controlled clinical trial, in the control or intervention groups and evaluated at baseline, 3 and 6 months of follow up. The assessment includes (1) classification of the risk of foot ulceration, (2) analysis of plantar pressure during gait, (3) quality of life, (4) foot deformities, (5) pre-ulcerative lesions, (6) functionality and general health of the feet.

The hypothesis of this study is that the intervention group will present a reduction in the peak pressures during gait, a reduction in hyperkeratosis at forefoot, a reduction in the incidence and recurrence of forefoot ulcerations, and improved quality of life and in the functionality and health of the foot, when compared to the control group after six months of use of silicone digital orthoses.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosed type 1 or 2 diabetes, with diabetic peripheral neuropathy confirmed by loss of sensitivity measured by 10 g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament or 128Hz tuning fork and by the fuzzy score (www.usp.br/labimph/fuzzy);
  • Presence of 1 or more deformities at the forefoot region (claw toes, hammer toes, mallet toes, overlapping toes, hallux valgus, prominence of the metatarsal heads or reduction/displacement of the fat pad);
  • Ability to walk independently with or without the aid of a walking device;
Exclusion Criteria
  • Presence of other diagnosed neurological diseases;
  • Presence of dementia or inability to give consistent information;
  • Presence of major vascular complications;
  • Receiving any physiotherapy intervention;
  • Major vascular complications (ischemia)
  • Presence of an active ulcer at the time of baseline assessment;
  • Major amputations;
  • Minor amputations, except toes.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention GroupCustom silicone digital orthosis (CSDO)The participants will receive a custom silicone digital orthosis (CSDO) to realign the toes according to their needs. They will be instructed to use the CSDO throughout the day, remove it to sleep and reposition it on the foot the next day. Furthermore they will be assisted by a stomatherapy specialist, dermatology or clinical podiatry nurse and will receive foot care for thinning the calluses, referral (if necessary) to the Specialized Rehabilitation Center - CER, health equipment linked to SUS, for the purchase of insoles and/ or molded footwear (when indicated) and guidance on the use of therapeutic footwear.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from Baseline Pre-ulcerative lesions and ulcers at 12 and 24 weeks12-weeks, 24-weeks

It will be evaluated according to a study, which classifies hyperkeratosis into 6 degrees

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from Baseline Dynamic Plantar Pressure Distribution during gait at 12 and 24 weeks12 and 24 weeks

A pressure platform (emed®-q100, novel, Germany) will be used to assess peak pressure (kPa) in the forefoot region during walking.

Change from Baseline Foot health and functionality at 12 and 24 weeks12 and 24 weeks

The Brazilian version of the Foot-Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ-BR) will be used. This instrument is divided into three domains and we are using domains I and II. The first domain evaluates the foot in four spheres: pain, function, footwear and general health. The second domain evaluates the general state of health, also in four spheres: general health, physical activity, social capacity and vitality. Domains I and II are composed of questions with answer choices that are presented in the affirmative sentences and corresponding numbers. Domain III, which is not being used, comprises the collection of general demographic data of individuals. Each domain receives a score from 0 to 100, where 100 expresses the best condition and 0 to worst.

Change from Baseline Comfort at 12 weeks12-weeks

To assess comfort with the use of orthoses, a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) will be applied, consisting of 0 and 10 marked points, in which 0 indicates no discomfort and 10 indicates the highest level of discomfort.

Change from baseline of the Quality of life at 12 and 24 weeks12 and 24 weeks

Participants will answer the EQ-5D questionnaire, which is an instrument for measuring health-related quality of life that allows generating an index representing the value of an individual's health status.

Change from Baseline Safety at 12 weeks12 weeks

To assess safety with the use of orthoses, a closed structured questionnaires will be applied, consisting of 11 questions related to safety. Responses will be evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly agree; 2 = agree; 3 = neither agree nor disagree; 4 = disagree; 5 = strongly disagree).

Change from Baseline Satisfaction at 12 weeks12 weeks

To assess satisfaction with the use of orthoses, a closed structured questionnaires will be applied, consisting of 7 related to satisfaction. Responses will be evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly agree; 2 = agree; 3 = neither agree nor disagree; 4 = disagree; 5 = strongly disagree).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Stay Care Clinica

🇧🇷

São Paulo, SP, Brazil

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath