The Effect of Anthropometric Shoes on Lactic Acid Reduction in Nurses: A Mixed-Methods Study from Indonesia

Nita Fitria; Putri Karisa; Tertianto Prabowo; Ahmad Kharisma Ramadhan; Muhamad Gustaf Al Fajar; Setiawan; Kusman Ibrahim; Aditya Salya; Raini Diah Susanti

doi:10.2147/JMDH.S437177

The Effect of Anthropometric Shoes on Lactic Acid Reduction in Nurses: A Mixed-Methods Study from Indonesia

J Multidiscip Healthc. 2023 Dec 27:16:4227-4238. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S437177. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Nita Fitria^#¹, Putri Karisa^#², Tertianto Prabowo^#³, Ahmad Kharisma Ramadhan^#⁴, Muhamad Gustaf Al Fajar^#², Setiawan^#⁵, Kusman Ibrahim^#⁶, Aditya Salya^#⁷, Raini Diah Susanti^#⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Fundamental Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia.
² Professional Nursing Student, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia.
³ Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.
⁴ Department of Design Product, Faculty of Art and Design, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.
⁵ Department of Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java, 40132, Indonesia.
⁶ Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia.
⁷ Department of Management, Faculty of Economic and Business, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia.
⁸ Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, West Java, 45363, Indonesia.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Background: The mobilization characteristics of nurses' work, such as standing, walking, and transferring patients for a long time, can increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Repetitive activities nurses perform can cause foot problems such as discomfort and insecurity, characterized by increased lactic acid levels. Anthropometric shoes are specifically designed to reduce complaints on nurses' feet.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of individual anthropometric shoes on lactic acid levels in nurses at the hospital.

Methods: This study used a mixed-method study design. This study involved 71 nurses in the quantitative study and 15 nurses in the qualitative study. Nurses in Emergency Room, Central Surgical Installation, Inpatient Room, Intensive Care Unit, and Outpatient Installation were randomly selected using a stratified random sampling technique. The instruments used were the Accutrend Lactacyd tool, demographic questionnaire and interview questionnaire. Bivariate data analysis was using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data analysis using thematic analysis.

Results: This mixed-method study shows that anthropometric shoes can reduce nurses' lactic acid levels. In the quantitative study; there was a significant difference in lactic acid levels of nurses before and after using anthropometric shoes with the average results of measuring lactic acid levels, namely pre-test (22.48 mg/dL) and post-test (16.27 mg/dL), with a p-value (0.000). The qualitative study data revealed positive results related to increased nurse knowledge, positive views on the effect of shoes on nurse performance, and the impact of using anthropometric shoes in providing comfort and safety, such as decreased muscle fatigue and pain.

Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the effect of individualized anthropometric shoes on lactic acid levels in nurses in Indonesian hospitals. It is essential to conduct further research and evaluate the results in a broader setting to ensure that anthropometric shoes can directly affect lactic acid levels.

Keywords: Indonesia; anthropometric shoes; lactic acid; nurses.