Evaluation of foot care and self-efficacy in patients with diabetes in Turkey: an interventional study

The effect of mHealth program on behavior modification and health outcomes among patients with diabetes: A randomized controlled trial study

Background

Mobile health presents a promising alternative in the digital era. Mobile health apps (mHealth), when combined with the concept of self-management, are considered one of the methods for incorporating technology-based interventions into the healthcare system.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the effect of mHealth (specifically, the Diabetic Care App) on foot care behavior, dietary behavior, foot condition, and fasting blood glucose levels among patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A single randomized controlled trial was conducted at a government-run primary clinic in Northern Malaysia, involving 58 patients with uncontrolled diabetes who were assigned to two groups. The intervention group received the Diabetic Care App, attended a 2-hour face-to-face session, and was included in a WhatsApp group, while the control group received standard care. Relevant assessments were conducted for both groups in Week 1 and Week 5. The study was conducted from February 2020 to November 2020, and parametric and non-parametric statistics were used for data analysis.

Results

Pretest-posttest comparisons in both groups revealed significant findings for foot care behavior (p <0.01), dietary behavior (p <0.01), and foot condition (p <0.01), except for fasting blood glucose levels. In inter-group comparisons, a significant difference was observed only in foot care behavior (p <0.01) and dietary behavior (p <0.01).

Conclusion

The results indicate that technology-based interventions are beneficial for modifying behavior, specifically in terms of foot care and dietary behavior, in this study. The study highlights the applicability of mHealth for nurses in patient education and self-management of chronic conditions. Future research should explore app utilization among patients with chronic conditions.

Clinical trial registration number

NCT04260100 (registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04260100).

The Effect of Foot Care Education for Patients with Diabetes on Knowledge, Self-Efficacy and Behavior: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize randomized controlled trials on the impact of foot care education on knowledge, self-efficacy and behavior in patients with diabetes. A search was made using PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Google Scholar, YOK National Thesis Center and Google Scholar electronic databases for studies published between March 2003-January 2022. The search medical subject headings (MeSH) terms were diabetic foot, knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavior. Studies suitable for the systematic review and the meta-analysis met the following criteria (PICOS): target participants would be diagnosed with diabetes (population), diabetic foot education (intervention), comparison of the group receiving diabetic foot care education and routine care education, and the control group receiving only routine care education (comparison), studies evaluating the levels of knowledge, self-efficacy and behavior (outcome), randomized controlled trials (study design). Twenty-six studies were included in systematic review. Three studies for knowledge, 5 studies for behavior, 8 studies for self-efficacy were included in the meta-analysis (total sample: 2534, experiment: 1464, control: 1071). All of the studies had low reporting bias. The mean duration of educations for knowledge was 5.2 months. This duration was 4.8 months for behavior and 4.5 months for self-efficacy. In the random effect (since the homogeneity test: P < .001, this model was used), there were significantly difference in terms of knowledge (standardized mean difference (SMD): 1.656, 95% [CI]: 1.014-2.299, P < .001), and behavior (SMD: 1.045, 95% CI: 0.849-1.242, P < .001). But no difference was observed in terms of self-efficacy (SMD: 0.557, 95%CI: -0.402-1.517, P > .05). The results of a systematic review of twenty-six studies and a meta-analysis of 9 studies showed that diabetic foot education improved the level of knowledge and behavior of patients with diabetes, while not affecting their self-efficacy. Educational interventions with long-term follow-up are needed to address the growing health care needs of patients with diabetes.

Feasibility of Virtual Simulation-Based Diabetes Foot Care Education in Patients with Diabetes in Ethiopia: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus is a rapidly growing global public health problem; the number of adults with diabetes is expected to increase from 424.9 million in 2017 to 628.6 million in 2045. Approximately 80% of diabetic patients live in low- and middle-income countries where access to care may be limited. For example, in Ethiopia, diabetes care is often rudimentary, and formal, structured diabetes education is almost non-existent. One potential solution to the lack of diabetes management education for patients could be virtual simulation-based diabetes education incorporating the contextual realities of patients in Ethiopia. Despite its great potential to improve glycemic control, delay diabetes-related complications and reduce mortality associated with diabetes, the feasibility of virtual simulation-based diabetes self-management education has not been studied in low- and middle-income settings.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the feasibility of a virtual simulation-based Diabetes Foot Care Education (DFCE) program among adult patients with diabetes in Ethiopia.

METHODS

A randomized controlled feasibility study including participants from University of Gondar Referral Hospital (UoGRH) will be conducted. A sample of 40 participants will be recruited, of which 20 participants will receive the virtual simulation-based education program, and the other 20 participants will continue with their usual diabetes care. After the education program, a questionnaire and structured interview will be used to explore the feasibility (acceptability, practicality) and the potential impact of virtual simulation-based DFCE intervention in patients with diabetes. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 25 using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, paired sample t-test, and factorial ANOVA at significance levels of less than 0.05.

DISCUSSION

Our study seeks to understand the perceived usefullness and usability of virtual simulation-based diabetes foot care education on behavioural (diabetes foot-care knowledge, foot self-care practices, and foot self-care efficacy). Furthermore, the study will provide insight to assist in the development of technologically assisted and contextually designed DFCE programs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04841291 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier).

The effect of foot care protocol applied to older people on foot health problems and foot care behaviours: a randomised controlled trial in a nursing home

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to develop a protective and improving protocol for foot health of the older people and to assess the effect of this protocol on foot problems, foot care knowledge levels and foot care behavior.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial that was conducted in a nursing home in Turkey. The research was completed with 57 older people (28 intervention group, 29 control group) over the age of 60 living in a nursing home who met the eligibility criteria. Data were collected using the Older Person Identification Form, Foot Examination Form, Foot Care Knowledge Level Form, and Foot Care Behavior Scale at baseline and 6 months later. When assessing the study data; Descriptive statistics, Student t-test, Mann Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test, chi-square test, continuity (Yates) correction, Fisher exact chi-square test, McNemar test and GEE were used.

RESULTS

At the end of the research, there were statistically significant improvements in problems related to dermatology (appearance, hygiene, and moisture); problems related to circulation (temperature); problems related to sensory issues (feeling and pain); problems related to footwear; and problems related to self-care between the intervention and control groups. Also, there were statistically significant improvements in problems related to dermatology (appearance and hygiene); problems related to circulation (temperature, color, and edema); and problems related to sensory issues (feeling and pain) for the posttest compared to the pretest in the intervention group (p < 0.05). In terms of foot care knowledge level and foot care behavior scale mean scores, statistically significant differences were found between the groups and for the intervention group pretest and posttest mean scores.

CONCLUSION

The foot care protocol applied to older people was identified to reduce foot problems by a significant level, and increase mean points for knowledge levels about foot care and the foot care behavior scale.

Effect of an Educational Intervention Based on Bandura's Theory on Foot Care Self-Efficacy in Diabetes: A Prospective Quasi-Experimental Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the foot care self-efficacy of diabetic foot patients and the effect of an educational intervention for improving it. This study was of a semi-experimental design and was conducted between January and December 2019 in a diabetic foot council of a university hospital. After power analysis to determine sample size, 33 participants meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. A Patient Identification Form and Diabetic Foot Care Self-Efficacy Scale (DFCSES) were used to collect data. Of the patients, 51.5% were male and the mean age was 54.91 ± 16.61 years. The mean score of DFCSES was 50.18 ± 20.88 before education and 72.67 ± 20.74 after education. The educational intervention has large effects on self-efficacy (d = 1.233), perceived knowledge level on diabetic foot (d = 1.102), perceived health status (d = 0.859), and perceived quality of life (d = 0.807). Educational intervention was found to be an effective way to improve foot care self-efficacy, perceived knowledge level on diabetic foot, perceived health status, and perceived quality of life.

Effectiveness of a theory-based foot care education program (3STEPFUN) in improving foot self-care behaviours and foot risk factors for ulceration in people with type 2 diabetes

AIMS

To evaluate the effectiveness of a theory-based foot care education intervention program (3STEPFUN) for people with type 2 diabetes at low risk of developing a foot ulcer.

METHODS

A controlled, pre-test/ post-test quasi-experimental design was used. From 119 participants, 60 participants in the control group received usual care and a foot care brochure. Those in the intervention group received (1) a small group intensive education and hands-on skills session; (2) a foot care kit and documents; and (3) three regular booster follow-up phone calls over 6 months. Generalised Estimating Equations models were undertaken to examine the impact of the intervention on outcomes over time.

RESULTS

The intervention group had significantly improved outcomes compared to the control group over 6 months in the following aspects: improved preventive foot care behaviour (p = 0.001); and decreased prevalence of foot risk factors for ulceration (i.e. dry skin, corns/ callus) (OR: 0.04, 95% CI 0.01 - 0.13, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The study's findings provide evidence of 3STEPFUN on improving foot self-care behaviour and preventing minor foot problems. Further study with formal RCT design and longer follow-up time to examine the effects on decreasing foot ulcer incidence is recommended.