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Castro-Martins P, Marques A, Coelho L, Vaz M, Baptista JS. In-shoe plantar pressure measurement technologies for the diabetic foot: A systematic review. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29672. [PMID: 38699042 PMCID: PMC11064085 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Loss of cutaneous protective sensation and high plantar pressures increase the risk for diabetic foot patients. Trauma and ulceration are imminent threats, making assessment and monitoring essential. This systematic review aims to identify systems and technologies for measuring in-shoe plantar pressures, focusing on the at-risk diabetic foot population. Methods A systematic search was conducted across four electronic databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Oxford Journals) using PRISMA methodology, covering articles published in English from 1979 to 2024. Only studies addressing systems or sensors exclusively measuring plantar pressures inside the shoe were included. Results A total of 87 studies using commercially available devices and 45 articles proposing new systems or sensors were reviewed. The prevailing market offerings consist mainly of instrumented insoles. Emerging technologies under development often feature configurations with four, six or eight resistive sensors strategically placed within removable insoles. Despite some variability due to the inherent heterogeneity of human gait, these devices assess plantar pressure, although they present significant differences between them in measurement results. Individuals with diabetic foot conditions appears exhibit elevated plantar pressures, with reported peak pressures reaching approximately 1000 kPa. The results also showed significant differences between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Conclusion Instrumented insoles, particularly those incorporating resistive sensor technology, dominate the field. Systems employing eight sensors at critical locations represent a pragmatic approach, although market options extend to systems with up to 960 sensors. Differences between devices can be a critical factor in measurement and highlights the importance of individualized patient assessment using consistent measurement devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Castro-Martins
- CIETI, ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Arcelina Marques
- CIETI, ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Coelho
- CIETI, ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal
- INESC-TEC, Centre for Robotics in Industry and Intelligent Systems, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mário Vaz
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Portugal
- Institute for Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Porto, Portugal
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Cay G, Finco M, Garcia J, McNitt-Gray JL, Armstrong DG, Najafi B. Towards a Remote Patient Monitoring Platform for Comprehensive Risk Evaluations for People with Diabetic Foot Ulcers. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:2979. [PMID: 38793835 PMCID: PMC11124849 DOI: 10.3390/s24102979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) significantly affect the lives of patients and increase the risk of hospital stays and amputation. We suggest a remote monitoring platform for better DFU care. This system uses digital health metrics (scaled from 0 to 10, where higher scores indicate a greater risk of slow healing) to provide a comprehensive overview through a visual interface. The platform features smart offloading devices that capture behavioral metrics such as offloading adherence, daily steps, and cadence. Coupled with remotely measurable frailty and phenotypic metrics, it offers an in-depth patient profile. Additional demographic data, characteristics of the wound, and clinical parameters, such as cognitive function, were integrated, contributing to a comprehensive risk factor profile. We evaluated the feasibility of this platform with 124 DFU patients over 12 weeks; 39% experienced unfavorable outcomes such as dropout, adverse events, or non-healing. Digital biomarkers were benchmarked (0-10); categorized as low, medium, and high risk for unfavorable outcomes; and visually represented using color-coded radar plots. The initial results of the case reports illustrate the value of this holistic visualization to pinpoint the underlying risk factors for unfavorable outcomes, including a high number of steps, poor adherence, and cognitive impairment. Although future studies are needed to validate the effectiveness of this visualization in personalizing care and improving wound outcomes, early results in identifying risk factors for unfavorable outcomes are promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gozde Cay
- Digital Health and Access Center (DiHAC), Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (G.C.)
| | - M.G. Finco
- Digital Health and Access Center (DiHAC), Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (G.C.)
| | - Jason Garcia
- Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jill L. McNitt-Gray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
| | - David G. Armstrong
- Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Bijan Najafi
- Digital Health and Access Center (DiHAC), Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (G.C.)
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Martin JK, Davis BL. Diabetic Foot Considerations Related to Plantar Pressures and Shear. Foot Ankle Clin 2023; 28:13-25. [PMID: 36822683 PMCID: PMC10111339 DOI: 10.1016/j.fcl.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic foot ulcers are a complex, multifaceted, and widespread complication of diabetes mellitus. Although there are a multitude of risk factors contributing to diabetic foot ulcer development, pressure and (more recently) shear stresses are two biomechanical metrics that are gaining popularity for monitoring risk factors predisposing skin breakdown. Other areas of diabetic foot ulcers under research include plantar temperature measuring, as well as monitoring wear-time compliance and machine learning/AI algorithms. Charcot arthropathy is another diabetes complication that has a relationship with diabetic foot ulcer development, which should be monitored for development alongside ulcer development. The ability to monitor and prevent diabetic foot ulcer development and Charcot neuroarthropathy will lead to increased patient outcomes and patient quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessi K Martin
- Center for Human Machine Systems, Cleveland State University, WH 305, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Brian L Davis
- Center for Human Machine Systems, Cleveland State University, WH 305, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA.
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Chatzistergos PE, Chockalingam N. A novel concept for low-cost non-electronic detection of overloading in the foot during activities of daily living. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:202035. [PMID: 34113451 PMCID: PMC8188001 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.202035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Identifying areas in the sole of the foot which are routinely overloaded during daily living is extremely important for the management of the diabetic foot. This work showcases the feasibility of reliably detecting overloading using a low-cost non-electronic technique. This technique uses thin-wall structures that change their properties differently when they are repeatedly loaded above or below a tuneable threshold. Flexible hexagonal thin-wall structures were produced using three-dimensional printing, and their mechanical behaviour was assessed before and after repetitive loading at different magnitudes. These structures had an elastic mechanical behaviour until a critical pressure (P crit = 252 kPa ± 17 kPa) beyond which they buckled. Assessing changes in stiffness after simulated use enabled the accurate detection of whether a sample was loaded above or below P crit (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 100%), with the overloaded samples becoming significantly softer. No specific P crit value was targeted in this study. However, finite-element modelling showed that P crit can be easily raised or lowered, through simple geometrical modifications, to become aligned with established thresholds for overloading (e.g. 200 kPa) or to assess overloading thresholds on a patient-specific basis. Although further research is needed, the results of this study indicate that clinically relevant overloading could indeed be reliably detected without the use of complex electronic in-shoe sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nachiappan Chockalingam
- Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
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Moulaei K, Malek M, Sheikhtaheri A. A smart wearable device for monitoring and self-management of diabetic foot: A proof of concept study. Int J Med Inform 2020; 146:104343. [PMID: 33260090 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2020.104343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Diabetic foot is one of the important complications of diabetes, which is occurred due to the destructive parameters in different anatomical sites of feet. Management and monitoring of these parameters are very important to decrease or prevent foot ulcers. We aimed to develop a smart wearable device to monitor these parameters to prevent diabetic foot. METHODS Following literature review and expert panel discussions, we considered pressure, temperature and humidity to develop the system. During these sessions, we also developed the system architecture and determined the required technologies. We also developed a mobile application. Finally, all sensors were evaluated for accurate monitoring of pressure, temperature and humidity. A standard protocol was used to evaluate each of these sensors. To this end, five people (four with diabetes and one healthy person) participated. They did a series of movements including walking, sitting, and standing. We considered the pressure measured by Pedar system as the gold standard. Furthermore, we changed the environment temperature and humidity during several experiments and considered the environment temperature and humidity as gold standard. We compared the measured values by sensors with these gold standards. RESULTS The evaluation indicated the accurate performance of pressure, humidity and temperature sensors. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the system to provide alarms based on the pressure measured using Pedar were 100, 50, 92.5, 91.8, and 100 %, respectively. The performance of temperature sensors in smart shoes was confirmed by slight differences compared to thermometers. Relatively equal values of humidity measured by two sensors on the left and right feet and the increased difference with the environment humidity showed the exact humidity measured using these sensors. CONCLUSION This smart shoes monitors pressure, humidity, and temperature of patients' feet and sends this data to their smart phone by the Bluetooth module. Furthermore, it controls these parameters; as each of these parameters exceeds the defined threshold, alerts are given to patients for self-management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijeh Moulaei
- Department of Health Information Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Malek
- Research Center for Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Sheikhtaheri
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Armstrong DG, Swerdlow MA, Armstrong AA, Conte MS, Padula WV, Bus SA. Five year mortality and direct costs of care for people with diabetic foot complications are comparable to cancer. J Foot Ankle Res 2020; 13:16. [PMID: 32209136 PMCID: PMC7092527 DOI: 10.1186/s13047-020-00383-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 342] [Impact Index Per Article: 85.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2007, we reported a summary of data comparing diabetic foot complications to cancer. The purpose of this brief report was to refresh this with the best available data as they currently exist. Since that time, more reports have emerged both on cancer mortality and mortality associated with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), Charcot arthropathy, and diabetes-associated lower extremity amputation. METHODS We collected data reporting 5-year mortality from studies published following 2007 and calculated a pooled mean. We evaluated data from DFU, Charcot arthropathy and lower extremity amputation. We dichotomized high and low amputation as proximal and distal to the ankle, respectively. This was compared with cancer mortality as reported by the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. RESULTS Five year mortality for Charcot, DFU, minor and major amputations were 29.0, 30.5, 46.2 and 56.6%, respectively. This is compared to 9.0% for breast cancer and 80.0% for lung cancer. 5 year pooled mortality for all reported cancer was 31.0%. Direct costs of care for diabetes in general was $237 billion in 2017. This is compared to $80 billion for cancer in 2015. As up to one-third of the direct costs of care for diabetes may be attributed to the lower extremity, these are also readily comparable. CONCLUSION Diabetic lower extremity complications remain enormously burdensome. Most notably, DFU and LEA appear to be more than just a marker of poor health. They are independent risk factors associated with premature death. While advances continue to improve outcomes of care for people with DFU and amputation, efforts should be directed at primary prevention as well as those for patients in diabetic foot ulcer remission to maximize ulcer-free, hospital-free and activity-rich days.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Armstrong
- Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Mark A Swerdlow
- Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Alexandria A Armstrong
- Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Michael S Conte
- Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - William V Padula
- Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Sicco A Bus
- Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
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Najafi B, Reeves ND, Armstrong DG. Leveraging smart technologies to improve the management of diabetic foot ulcers and extend ulcer-free days in remission. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2020; 36 Suppl 1:e3239. [PMID: 31909547 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.3239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The prevalent and long neglected diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and its related complications rank among the most debilitating and costly sequelae of diabetes. Management of the DFU is multifaceted and requires constant monitoring from patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. The alarmingly high rates of recurrence of ulcerations in the diabetic foot requires a change in our approach to care and to the vernacular in the medical literature. Our efforts should be directed not only on healing of open wounds, but also on maximizing ulcer-free days for the patient in diabetic foot remission. The increasing development and use of technology within every aspect of our lives represents an opportunity for creative solutions to prevent or better manage this devastating condition. In particular, recent advances in wearable and mobile health technologies appear to show promise in measuring and modulating dangerous foot pressure and inflammation to extend remission and improve the quality of life for these most complex patients. This review article discusses how harnessing wearables and digital technologies may improve the management and optimize prevention of DFUs by identifying high-risk patients for triage and timely intervention, personalizing prescription of offloading, and improving adherence to protective footwear. While still in their infancy, we envisage a future network of skin-worn, jewellery-worn, and implantable sensors that, if allowed to effectively communicate with one another and the patient, could dramatically impact measuring, personalizing, and managing how we and the patients we serve move through our collective world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijan Najafi
- Interdisciplinary Consortium for Advanced Motion Performance (iCAMP), Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Neil D Reeves
- Research Centre for Musculoskeletal Science & Sports Medicine, Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - David G Armstrong
- Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Basatneh R, Najafi B, Armstrong DG. Health Sensors, Smart Home Devices, and the Internet of Medical Things: An Opportunity for Dramatic Improvement in Care for the Lower Extremity Complications of Diabetes. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2018; 12:577-586. [PMID: 29635931 PMCID: PMC6154231 DOI: 10.1177/1932296818768618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The prevalent and long-neglected diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and its related complications rank among the most debilitating and costly sequelae of diabetes. With the rise of the Internet of medical things (IoMT), along with smart devices, the med-tech industry is on the cusp of a home-care revolution, which could also create opportunity for developing effective solutions with significant potential to reduce DFU-associated costs and saving limbs. This article discusses potential applications of IoMT to the DFU patient population and beyond. METHODS To better understand potential opportunities and challenges associated with implementing IoMT for management of DFU, the authors reviewed recent relevant literatures and included their own expert opinions from a multidisciplinary point of view including podiatry, engineering, and data security. RESULTS The IoMT has opened digital transformation of home-based diabetic foot care, as it enables promoting patient engagement, personalized care and smart management of chronic and noncommunicable diseases through individual data-driven treatment regimens, telecommunication, data mining, and comprehensive feedback tailored to individual requirements. In particular, with recent advances in voice-activated commands technology and its integration as a part of IoMT, new opportunities have emerged to improve the patient's central role and responsibility in enabling an optimized health care ecosystem. CONCLUSIONS The IoMT has opened new opportunities in health care from remote monitoring to smart sensors and medical device integration. While it is at its early stage of development, ultimately we envisage a connected home that, using voice-controlled technology and Bluetooth-radio-connected add-ons, may augment much of what home health does today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami Basatneh
- School of Podiatric Medicine, Temple
University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bijan Najafi
- Interdisciplinary Consortium for
Advanced Motion Performance (iCAMP), Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery,
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Bijan Najafi, PhD, Interdisciplinary
Consortium on Advanced Motion Performance (iCAMP), Michael E. DeBakey Department
of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS: BCM390, Houston,
TX 77030, USA.
| | - David G. Armstrong
- Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage
Alliance (SALSA), Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of
Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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