Effectiveness of foot skin protection technology in elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024 Aug 19:15:1411657. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1411657. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of foot skin protection technology in elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Methods: The foot skin protection technology was developed based on a comprehensive literature review and preliminary research conducted by our research team. Subsequently, 88 elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and experiencing foot skin problems were recruited from two community health service centers in Shanghai. Using a random number table, the participants were randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group. Patients in the experimental group received foot skin protection technology interventions, while those in the control group received standard community nursing guidance for a duration of 3 months. The incidence, severity, and discomfort associated with foot skin problems were evaluated before and after the intervention period in both groups.

Results: The incidence, severity, and discomfort of foot skin problems notably reduced in the experimental group (all P< 0.05).

Conclusion: The foot skin protection technology demonstrates significant potential in enhancing foot skin condition.

Keywords: diabetic foot; diabetic peripheral neuropathy; elderly diabetes; nursing; skin protection.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • China / epidemiology
  • Diabetic Foot* / prevention & control
  • Diabetic Neuropathies* / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Foot
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was supported by Clinical Research Project of Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University “The key to promote muscle strength rehabilitation in elderly patients with diabetes Research and transformation of technology” (No.HDLC2022008); Key Special Disease Construction Project of Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University (No.ZDZB2224); Fudan University Fuxing Nursing Research Fund Key Project, titled “Mechanism of Health Behavior Degradation and Early Warning Strategies in Elderly Diabetic Patients with Dangerous Feet from the Perspective of Ego Depletion Theory” (No.FNF202301); Fudan University-Fosun Nursing Research Fund Project "Health Resource Utilization Status of Elderly Diabetic Foot Patients" (No.FNF202463); Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Rehabilitation Medicine (No.21MC1930200).