Nonvisual Foot Inspection for People with Visual Impairment

NewsBot · Jul 7, 2013

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Nonvisual Foot Inspection for People with Visual Impairment
ANN S. WILLIAMS, BRYAN D. CALDWELL, JILL S. KAWALEC-CARROLL,
American Diabetes Assoication; 73rd Scientific Sessions (2013); Chicago

People with diabetes and visual impairment have high risk for foot problems. A nonvisual method for inspecting their own feet, using the senses of touch and smell, may help them discover new foot problems while in early, easily-treated stages. This simple, low-cost technique may decrease incidence of foot ulcers and amputations.
The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the initial efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of a technique for nonvisual foot inspection, using the hands to inspect the feet tactually, and the nose to detect unusual odors.
Thirty people with diabetes and visual impairment were recruited and assigned to experimental or comparison groups. Both groups received comprehensive diabetes self management education with emphasis on foot care and instructions to call the podiatrist if new foot problems were found. The experimental group was taught non-visual foot inspection, the comparison group to have a sighted person check the feet. All received bimonthly phone calls to document foot care practices at home. All had a baseline podiatry evaluation, with 4 follow-ups over a year, to document discovery of new foot problems at home and by the podiatrist. Focus groups were held immediately after each cohort had completed classes and one year later, transcribed and analyzed for themes.
Analysis included rates of home foot checks, probability of reporting new foot problems to the podiatrist, and total numbers of new foot problems reported. Learning nonvisual foot examination had a dramatic effect on rates of home foot checks. The experimental group reported checking their feet 5.45 times per week, while the comparison group reported 1.74. They also had a higher probability of reporting new foot problems to the podiatrist, and more total foot problems reported. Qualitative analysis of the focus groups strongly reflect a preference for self-examination of feet over asking someone else to check the feet.
Initial efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability are high and support the need for study in a larger group
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Admin2 · Jul 7, 2013

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