Lower leg muscle strengthening does not redistribute plantar load in diabetic polyneuropathy: a randomised controlled trial

Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery 2023 guidelines on the diabetic foot

The diabetic foot interacts with anatomical, vascular, and neurological factors that challenge clinical practice. This study aimed to compile the primary scientific evidence based on a review of the main guidelines, in addition to articles published on the Embase, Lilacs, and PubMed platforms. The European Society of Cardiology system was used to develop recommendation classes and levels of evidence. The themes were divided into six chapters (Chapter 1 - Prevention of foot ulcers in people with diabetes; Chapter 2 - Pressure relief from foot ulcers in people with diabetes; Chapter 3 -Classifications of diabetic foot ulcers; Chapter 4 - Foot and peripheral artery disease; Chapter 5 - Infection and the diabetic foot; Chapter 6 - Charcot's neuroarthropathy). This version of the Diabetic Foot Guidelines presents essential recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with diabetic foot, offering an objective guide for medical practice.

Australian guideline on prevention of foot ulceration: part of the 2021 Australian evidence-based guidelines for diabetes-related foot disease

BACKGROUND

There are no current Australian guidelines on the prevention of diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU). A national expert panel aimed to systematically identify and adapt suitable international guidelines to the Australian context to create new Australian evidence-based guidelines on prevention of first-ever and/or recurrent DFU. These guidelines will include for the first-time considerations for rural and remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

METHODS

The National Health and Medical Research Council procedures were followed to adapt suitable international guidelines on DFU prevention to the Australian health context. This included a search of public databases after which the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) prevention guideline was deemed the most appropriate for adaptation. The 16 IWGDF prevention recommendations were assessed using the ADAPTE and GRADE systems to decide if they should be adopted, adapted or excluded for the new Australian guideline. The quality of evidence and strength of recommendation ratings were re-evaluated with reference to the Australian context. This guideline underwent public consultation, further revision, and approval by national peak bodies.

RESULTS

Of the 16 original IWGDF prevention recommendations, nine were adopted, six were adapted and one was excluded. It is recommended that all people at increased risk of DFU are assessed at intervals corresponding to the IWGDF risk ratings. For those at increased risk, structured education about appropriate foot protection, inspection, footwear, weight-bearing activities, and foot self-care is recommended. Prescription of orthotic interventions and/or medical grade footwear, providing integrated foot care, and self-monitoring of foot skin temperatures (contingent on validated, user-friendly and affordable systems becoming available in Australia) may also assist in preventing DFU. If the above recommended non-surgical treatment fails, the use of various surgical interventions for the prevention of DFU can be considered.

CONCLUSIONS

This new Australian evidence-based guideline on prevention of DFU, endorsed by 10 national peak bodies, provides specific recommendations for relevant health professionals and consumers in the Australian context to prevent DFU. Following these recommendations should achieve better DFU prevention outcomes in Australia.

Does exercise improve healing of diabetic foot ulcers? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

For patients with diabetic foot ulcers, offloading is one crucial aspect of treatment and aims to redistribute pressure away from the ulcer site. In addition to offloading strategies, patients are often advised to reduce their activity levels. Consequently, patients may avoid exercise altogether. However, it has been suggested that exercise induces an increase in vasodilation and tissue blood flow, which may potentially facilitate ulcer healing. The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether exercise improves healing of diabetic foot ulcers.

REVIEW

We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE between July 6, 2009 and July 6, 2019 using the key terms and subject headings diabetes, diabetic foot, physical activity, exercise, resistance training and wound healing. Randomised controlled trials were included in this review. Three randomised controlled trials (139 participants) were included in this systematic review. All studies incorporated a form of non-weight bearing exercise as the intervention over a 12-week period. One study conducted the intervention in a supervised setting, while two studies conducted the intervention in an unsupervised setting. Two studies found greater improvement in percentage wound size reduction in the intervention group compared with the control group, with one of these studies achieving statistically significant findings (p < 0.05). The results of the third study demonstrated statistically significant findings for total wound size reduction (p < 0.05), however results were analysed within each treatment group and not between groups.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review found there is insufficient evidence to conclusively support non-weight bearing exercise as an intervention to improve healing of diabetic foot ulcers. Regardless, the results demonstrate some degree of wound size reduction and there were no negative consequences of the intervention for the participants. Given the potential benefits of exercise on patient health and wellbeing, non-weight bearing exercise should be encouraged as part of the management plan for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Further research is required to better understand the relationship between exercise and healing of diabetic foot ulcers.

Effectiveness of Exposure in Vivo for Patients with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: a Pilot Study of Effects on Physical Activity and Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of personalized exposure in vivo on level of physical activity and quality of life in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy.

DESIGN

Randomized, single-case, ABC design.

SUBJECTS

Twelve patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, age > 18 years, diabetes mellitus type II, Clinical Neurological Examination score > 5, Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom Score ≥ 1 and Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions score ≥ 3.

METHODS

The treatment consists of an Intensive screening, followed by an 8-week exposure in vivo intervention specifically adapted to the needs/risks of patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, and 6-months follow-up. Outcome measures included daily and non-daily measures of physical activity, quality of life, metabolic parameters, disability, depression, general and painful diabetic neuropathy-related anxiety, pain intensity and pain catastrophizing.

RESULTS

Due to high drop-out rates (n = 6 during screening, n = 2 during treatment, n = 1 after treatment), only 3 participants completed the study. Slight, but non-significant, changes in physical activity and disability were observed. In quality of life, no changes were observed.

CONCLUSION

Analysis of the reasons for the high drop-out rate indicate that exposure in vivo may have added value in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy only for those patients: (i) whose daily life functioning is impaired mainly by the painful diabetic neuropathy; (ii) in whom painful diabetic neuropathy-related fears are exaggerated and irrational; (iii) in whom specific activities evoke the painful diabetic neuropathy-related fears; (iv) whose spouse and healthcare providers are involved in the treatment; and (v) who are willing to change their daily behaviour. Further research is needed into this subject.

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Foot-Ankle Exercise Program Aiming to Improve Foot-Ankle Functionality and Gait Biomechanics in People with Diabetic Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Foot-ankle strengthening and mobility exercises are part of international guideline recommendations for people at risk of diabetic foot disease. We examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 12-week foot-ankle exercise program on clinical, functional and biomechanical outcomes in people with diabetic neuropathy (DPN). We randomly allocated 30 people with DPN to usual care (control) or usual care plus a supervised exercise program (intervention). For feasibility, we assessed recruitment rate and participant adherence and satisfaction. For program efficacy, we assessed baseline to 12-week changes in daily physical activity level, gait speed, tactile sensitivity, ankle range of motion, DPN symptoms, quality of life, foot health and functionality, foot strength and plantar pressure during gait, using paired t-tests (p < 0.05). In 52 weeks, we recruited 45 eligible participants (0.90/week). Program adherence was 80% and participants’ satisfaction had a mean (SD) of 4.57 (0.70) out of 5. The intervention group significantly improved on toes strength, contact time during gait and DPN symptoms, and peak forefoot pressures increased over time; controls showed significantly increased heel peak pressures and force. The exercise program was feasible, based on a moderate recruitment rate and an adherent and satisfied population, and the intervention showed several positive preliminary effects over time compared to usual care.

Prevention of foot ulcers in the at-risk patient with diabetes: a systematic review

Prevention of foot ulcers in patients with diabetes is important to help reduce the substantial burden on both patient and health resources. A comprehensive analysis of reported interventions is needed to better inform healthcare professionals about effective prevention. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the effectiveness of interventions to help prevent both first and recurrent foot ulcers in persons with diabetes who are at risk for this complication. We searched the available medical scientific literature in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane databases for original research studies on preventative interventions. We screened trial registries for additional studies not found in our search and unpublished trials. Two independent reviewers assessed data from controlled studies for methodological quality, and extracted and presented this in evidence and risk of bias tables. From the 13,490 records screened, 35 controlled studies and 46 non-controlled studies were included. Few controlled studies, which were of generally low to moderate quality, were identified on the prevention of a first foot ulcer. For the prevention of recurrent plantar foot ulcers, there is benefit for the use of daily foot skin temperature measurements, and for therapeutic footwear with demonstrated plantar pressure relief, provided it is consistently worn by the patient. For prevention of ulcer recurrence, there is some evidence for providing integrated foot care, and no evidence for a single session of education.Surgical interventions have been shown effective in selected patients, but the evidence base is small. Foot-related exercises do not appear to prevent a first foot ulcer. A small increase in the level of weight-bearing daily activities does not seem to increase the risk for foot ulceration. The evidence base to support the use of specific self-management and footwear interventions for the prevention of recurrent plantar foot ulcers is quite strong. The evidence is weak for the use of other, sometimes widely applied, interventions, and is practically non-existent for the prevention of a first foot ulcer and non-plantar foot ulcer.

Guidelines on the prevention of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes (IWGDF 2019 update)

The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) has published evidence-based guidelines on the prevention and management of diabetic foot disease since 1999. This guideline is on the prevention of foot ulceration in persons with diabetes and updates the 2015 IWGDF prevention guideline. We followed the GRADE methodology to devise clinical questions and critically important outcomes in the PICO format, to conduct a systematic review of the medical-scientific literature, and to write recommendations and their rationale. The recommendations are based on the quality of evidence found in the systematic review, expert opinion where evidence was not available, and a weighing of the benefits and harms, patient preferences, feasibility and applicability, and costs related to the intervention. We recommend to screen a person at very low risk for ulceration annually for loss of protective sensation and peripheral artery disease and persons at higher risk at higher frequencies for additional risk factors. For preventing a foot ulcer, educate the at-risk patient about appropriate foot self-care and treat any pre-ulcerative sign on the foot. Instruct moderate-to-high risk patients to wear accommodative properly fitting therapeutic footwear, and consider instructing them to monitor foot skin temperature. Prescribe therapeutic footwear that has a demonstrated plantar pressure relieving effect during walking to prevent plantar foot ulcer recurrence. In patients that fail non-surgical treatment for an active or imminent ulcer, consider surgical intervention; we suggest not to use a nerve decompression procedure. Provide integrated foot care for high-risk patients to prevent ulcer recurrence. Following these recommendations will help health care professionals to provide better care for persons with diabetes at risk of foot ulceration, to increase the number of ulcer-free days, and to reduce the patient and health care burden of diabetic foot disease.

Treatment of modifiable risk factors for foot ulceration in persons with diabetes: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Prevention of diabetic foot ulcers is important. Preventative treatment mostly targets and aims to improve modifiable risk factors of foot ulceration. While effectiveness of interventions in ulcer prevention has been systematically reviewed, their effectiveness in improving modifiable risk factors is unknown.

METHODS

The available medical scientific literature in PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, and the Cochrane database was searched for original research studies on six interventions to treat modifiable risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration (ie, education for patients; education for professionals; self-management; pre-ulcer treatment; orthotic interventions; and foot- and mobility-related exercises). We assessed interventions for eight outcomes (ie, patients' knowledge; treatment adherence; professionals' knowledge; pre-ulcers; mechanical stress; neuropathy symptoms; foot/ankle joint mobility; and foot function). Both controlled and noncontrolled studies were selected. Data from controlled studies were assessed for methodological quality by two independent reviewers and extracted and presented in evidence and risk of bias tables.

RESULTS

We included 72 publications (26 with a controlled study design and 46 noncontrolled). We found that structured education may improve foot self-care behaviour of patients, yearly foot examinations, and foot disease knowledge of health care professionals. Callus removal reduces peak plantar pressure. Custom-made therapeutic footwear can be effective in reducing plantar pressure and may reduce callus. Foot- and mobility-related exercises may improve neuropathy symptoms and foot and ankle joint range of motion, while they do not seem to reduce peak plantar pressure; evidence for their effect on foot strength is conflicting.

CONCLUSIONS

Structured education for patients and health care professionals, callus removal, custom-made therapeutic footwear, and foot- and mobility-related exercises may be beneficial for improving modifiable risk factors for foot ulceration. However, we generally found low quality of evidence for interventions targeting modifiable risk factors for ulceration in persons with diabetes, with frequently inconsistent or limited results available per intervention and outcome.

Effect of an educational booklet for prevention and treatment of foot musculoskeletal dysfunctions in people with diabetic neuropathy: the FOotCAre (FOCA) trial II, a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Background

This study is a part of a series of two clinical trials. We consider diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), a common chronic and progressive complication of diabetes mellitus that has several impacts on individuals’ foot health and quality of life. Based on the current trends of self-monitoring and self-care, providing a tool with foot-related exercises and educational care may help patients to avoid or reduce the musculoskeletal complications resulting from DPN, improving autonomous performance in daily living tasks. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the effects of an educational booklet for foot care and foot muscle strengthening on DPN symptoms and severity, clinical outcomes, and gait biomechanics in patients with DPN.

Methods/design

The FOotCAre (FOCA) trial II study has been designed as a single-blind, two-parallel-arm randomized controlled trial. It will include 48 patients with DPN who will be randomly allocated to a control (recommended foot care by international consensus with no foot exercises) group or an intervention (foot-related exercises using an educational booklet three times/week at home for 8 weeks) group. Participants from both groups will be assessed at baseline, after 8 weeks, and at 16 weeks for follow-up. The primary outcomes are the DPN symptoms and severity, and the secondary outcomes are foot–ankle kinematics, gait kinetics, plantar pressure distribution during gait, tactile and vibratory sensitivities, foot strength, functional balance, and foot health and functionality.

Discussion

The booklet is a management tool that allows users to be autonomous in their treatment by choosing how and where to perform the exercises. This allows the patients to perform the exercises regularly as a continuous habit for foot care and health, which is an important element in the management of the diabetic foot. As the booklet focuses on specific foot–ankle exercises, we expect that it will improve the clinical aspects of DPN and produce beneficial biomechanical changes during gait, becoming a powerful self-management tool that can be easily implemented to improve the performance of daily living tasks.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04008745. Registered on 2 July 2019.

Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial on the effect of the Diabetic Foot Guidance System (SOPeD) for the prevention and treatment of foot musculoskeletal dysfunctions in people with diabetic neuropathy: the FOotCAre (FOCA) trial I

BACKGROUND

This study is part of a series of two clinical trials. Taking into account the various musculoskeletal alterations of the foot and ankle in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and the need for self-care to avoid more serious dysfunctions and complications, a self-manageable exercise protocol that focuses on strengthening the foot muscles is presented as a potentially effective preventive method for foot and gait complications. The aim of this trial is to investigate the effect of a customized rehabilitation technology, the Diabetic Foot Guidance System (SOPeD), on DPN status, functional outcomes and gait biomechanics in people with DPN.

METHODS/DESIGN

Footcare (FOCA) trial I is a randomized, controlled and parallel two-arm trial with blind assessment. A total of 62 patients with DPN will be allocated into either a control group (recommended foot care by international consensus with no foot exercises) or an intervention group (who will perform exercises through SOPeD at home three times a week for 12 weeks). The exercise program will be customized throughout its course by a perceived effort scale reported by the participant after completion of each exercise. The participants will be assessed at three different times (baseline, completion at 12 weeks, and follow-up at 24 weeks) for all outcomes. The primary outcomes will be DPN symptoms and severity classification. The secondary outcomes will be foot-ankle kinematics and kinetic and plantar pressure distribution during gait, tactile and vibration sensitivities, foot health and functionality, foot strength, and functional balance.

DISCUSSION

As there is no evidence about the efficacy of rehabilitation technology in reducing DPN symptoms and severity or improving biomechanical, clinical, and functional outcomes for people with DPN, this research can contribute substantially to clarifying the therapeutic merits of software interventions. We hope that the use of our application for people with DPN complications will reduce or attenuate the deficits caused by DPN. This rehabilitation technology is freely available, and we intend to introduce it into the public health system in Brazil after demonstrating its effectiveness.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04011267. Registered on 8 July 2019.

Biopsychosocial Rehabilitation Treatment "Exposure In Vivo" for Patients with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: Development of a Treatment Protocol

Objective

Painful diabetic neuropathy is associated with low quality of life, depression and anxiety. Patients are limited in their performance of activities of daily living due to fears related to their condition. Treatment modalities are needed to help patients cope with their pain and pain-related disability. Exposure in vivo is an effective treatment in other chronic pain syndromes, increasing patients’ functional ability and quality of life. This paper presents an Exposure in vivo treatment protocol for patients with painful diabetic neuropathy.

Protocol

An 8-week Exposure in vivo treatment protocol was specifically adapted to the needs and risks of patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. New screening tools were developed for patients with PDN; the Painful Diabetic Neuropathy Anxiety Rasch-Transformed Questionnaire (PART-Q30) identifies specific fears related to painful diabetic neuropathy (e.g. fear of hypoglycaemia); and a customized version of the Photograph-series Of Daily Activities (PHODA-PDN) detects fear-eliciting activities related to the condition in individual patients. During Exposure in vivo, catastrophic interpretations regarding painful stimuli are challenged and corrected, thereby diminishing pain-related fear and enabling the patient to re-engage in activities of daily living. An interdisciplinary team provides Exposure in vivo in 1-h sessions twice a week.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this treatment protocol is the first intervention using Exposure in vivo specifically adapted to the needs and risks of patients with painful diabetic neuropathy.

The effect of exercise therapy combined with psychological therapy on physical activity and quality of life in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy: a systematic review

Background and aims

Approximately 25% of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMII) develop painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). PDN is known to affect both mental and physical wellbeing, resulting in anxiety, depression, low quality of life and physical disability. Pharmacological treatment of PDN aims at pain relief and is often ineffective and/or has many side effects. Rehabilitation treatment modalities that are designed to help the patient deal with PDN related complaints, are mostly focussed on either physical (e.g. exercise therapy) or psychological aspects (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy, CBT). There is emerging evidence that PDN can be approached from a biopsychosocial perspective, in which physical and psychosocial aspects are integrated. From this biopsychosocial approach it is plausible that integrated treatment modalities such as acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) or exposure in vivo (EXP) could be effective in patients with PDN. The objective of this review was to provide an overview of the current evidence on the effects of rehabilitation treatments that combine exercise therapies with psychological therapies in order to improve physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with PDN.

Methods

Systematic review of the current literature. EMBASE, MEDLINE, Medline In-Process citations and e-Pubs ahead-of-print, Pedro, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched. All studies on interventions combining exercise therapy with psychological interventions in patients with PDN, aged >18 years, were included. Outcome measures were PA, QoL.

Results

The search resulted in 1603 records after removing duplicates. After screening on titles and abstracts, 100 records remained. From these, not one study reported on interventions that combined exercise therapy with psychological interventions. Through a secondary hand search, a total of three reviews were identified that described a total of five studies regarding either physical or psychological interventions in patients with PDN. These studies reported moderate effects of (1) mindfulness meditation on QoL, (2) CBT on pain severity, (3) mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention on function, health-related QoL, pain catastrophizing and depression, (4) aerobic exercise on QoL and (5) Tai Chi on glucose control, balance, neuropathic symptoms, and some dimensions of QoL in patients with PDN. All studies were of a moderate quality, and results should be interpreted with caution.

Conclusions

Based on increasing knowledge in the domain of chronic pain, it could be assumed that integrated rehabilitation treatments for patients with PDN are beneficial. There is no literature to support this and more research should be done on integrated biopsychosocial interventions in patients with PDN.

Implications

This empty review highlights the importance that more research should be done on integrated biopsychosocial interventions in patients with PDN. Currently, our research group is performing a study on the effects of EXP treatment in patients with PDN.

Continuous Movement Monitoring of Daily Living Activities for Prevention of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Review of Literature

Lower extremity ulcers represent the most ominous, feared, and costly complications of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of daily life physical activities (PAs) and continuous movement monitoring (CMM) in the prevention of foot ulcers. Peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease are the main causes of foot ulceration and contribute, in turn, to the development of additional risk factors such as foot deformities and/or joint and muscular alterations. Moreover, a deficit of balance, posture abnormalities, followed by gait alterations, increases the risk of ulceration. PA can play a key role in the management of patients with diabetes and in the prevention of ulcers; however, even if it has been reported that some of these risk factors significantly improve after a few weeks of exercise therapy (ET), the real preventive role of ET has not yet been demonstrated. These uncertain results can occur due to some limitations in the management of the same relationship between PA and diabetic foot prevention. Technological advances during the last years enable timely management of overall daily PA. The use of these modern technologies and devices allows CMM assessment and description of daily PA even in the long term. The data collected from these devices can be used to properly manage patients' PA and thus contribute to the prevention of foot ulcers.

Protocol for evaluating the effects of a foot-ankle therapeutic exercise program on daily activity, foot-ankle functionality, and biomechanics in people with diabetic polyneuropathy: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) negatively affects foot and ankle function (strength and flexibility), which itself affects the daily physical activity and quality of life of patients. A physical therapy protocol aiming to strengthen the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles and increase flexibility may be a promising approach to improve lower-extremity function, prevent further complications, and improve autonomy for daily living activities in these patients. Thus, the inclusion of a specific foot-related exercises focused on the main musculoskeletal impairments may have additional effects to the conventional interventions in the diabetic foot.

METHODS/DESIGN

A prospective, parallel-group, outcome-assessor blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted in 77 patients with DPN who will be randomly allocated to usual care (control arm) or usual care with supervised foot-ankle exercises aiming to increase strengh and flexibility twice a week for 12 weeks and remotely supervised foot-ankle exercises for a year through a web software. Patients will be evaluated 5 times in a 1 year period regarding daily physical activity level, self-selected and fast gait speeds (primary outcomes), foot ulcer incidence, ulcer risk classification, neuropathy testing, passive ankle range of motion, quality of life, foot health and functionality, foot muscle strength, plantar pressure, and foot-ankle kinematics and kinetics during gait.

DISCUSSION

This study aims to assess the effect of a foot-ankle strength and flexibility program on a wide range of musculoskeletal, activity-related, biomechanical, and clinical outcomes in DPN patients. We intend to demonstrate evidence that the year-long training program is effective in increasing gait speed and daily physical activity level and in improving quality of life; foot strength, functionality, and mobility; and biomechanics while walking. The results will be published as soon as they are available.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02790931 (June 6, 2016) under the name "Effects of foot muscle strengthening in daily activity in diabetic neuropathic patients".

Range of Motion and Plantar Pressure Evaluation for the Effects of Self-Care Foot Exercises on Diabetic Patients with and Without Neuropathy

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate whether a home exercise for self-care program that consists of range of motion (ROM), stretching, and strengthening exercises could improve ROM for foot joints and plantar pressure distribution during walking in diabetic patients to prevent diabetic foot complications.

METHODS

Seventy-six diabetic patients were recruited (38 with neuropathy and 38 without neuropathy). Neuropathy and nonneuropathy groups were randomly divided into a home exercise group (n = 19) and a control group (n = 19). Exercise groups performed their own respective training programs for 4 weeks, whereas no training was done in the control group. Total contact area and plantar pressure under six foot areas before and after the exercise program were measured. Ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joint ROM were measured before and after the exercise program.

RESULTS

In the exercise group, there were significant improvements in ROM for the ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joints (P < .001); static pedobarographic values showed significant reduction in right forefoot-medial pressure (P = .010); and significant decreases were seen in dynamic pedobarographic values of peak plantar pressure at the left forefoot medial (P = .007), right forefoot lateral (P = .018), left midfoot (P < .001), and right hindfoot (P = .021) after exercise. No significant positive or negative correlation was found between the neuropathy and nonneuropathy groups (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

A home exercise program could be an effective preventive method for improving ROM for foot joints and plantar pressure distribution in diabetic patients independent of the presence of neuropathy.

Footwear and offloading interventions to prevent and heal foot ulcers and reduce plantar pressure in patients with diabetes: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Footwear and offloading techniques are commonly used in clinical practice for preventing and healing of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes. The goal of this systematic review is to assess the medical scientific literature on this topic to better inform clinical practice about effective treatment.

METHODS

We searched the medical scientific literature indexed in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane database for original research studies published since 1 May 2006 related to four groups of interventions: (1) casting; (2) footwear; (3) surgical offloading; and (4) other offloading interventions. Primary outcomes were ulcer prevention, ulcer healing, and pressure reduction. We reviewed both controlled and non-controlled studies. Controlled studies were assessed for methodological quality, and extracted key data was presented in evidence and risk of bias tables. Uncontrolled studies were assessed and summarized on a narrative basis. Outcomes are presented and discussed in conjunction with data from our previous systematic review covering the literature from before 1 May 2006.

RESULTS

We included two systematic reviews and meta-analyses, 32 randomized controlled trials, 15 other controlled studies, and another 127 non-controlled studies. Several randomized controlled trials with low risk of bias show the efficacy of therapeutic footwear that demonstrates to relief plantar pressure and is worn by the patient, in the prevention of plantar foot ulcer recurrence. Two meta-analyses show non-removable offloading to be more effective than removable offloading for healing plantar neuropathic forefoot ulcers. Due to the limited number of controlled studies, clear evidence on the efficacy of surgical offloading and felted foam is not yet available. Interestingly, surgical offloading seems more effective in preventing than in healing ulcers. A number of controlled and uncontrolled studies show that plantar pressure can be reduced by several conservative and surgical approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

Sufficient evidence of good quality supports the use of non-removable offloading to heal plantar neuropathic forefoot ulcers and therapeutic footwear with demonstrated pressure relief that is worn by the patient to prevent plantar foot ulcer recurrence. The evidence base to support the use of other offloading interventions is still limited and of variable quality. The evidence for the use of interventions to prevent a first foot ulcer or heal ischemic, infected, non-plantar, or proximal foot ulcers is practically non-existent. High-quality controlled studies are needed in these areas.

From treatment to preventive actions: improving function in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy

Diabetic polyneuropathy is an insidious and long-term complication of this disease. Synergistic treatments and preventive actions are crucial because there are no clear boundaries for determining when health professionals should intervene or what intervention would best avoid the consequences of neuropathy. Until now, most therapies to any diabetic individual were applied only after the patient's limb was ulcerated or amputated. The loss of muscle and joint functions is recognized as the main cause of plantar overloading. However, if foot and ankle exercises are performed following the early diagnosis of diabetes, they can enable the patient to maintain sufficient residual function to interact with the environment. This article summarizes the current knowledge about the musculoskeletal deficits and biomechanical alterations caused by neuropathy. It also describes the potential benefits of foot and ankle exercises for any diabetic patient that is not undergoing the plantar ulcer healing process. We concentrate on the prevention of the long-term deficits of neuropathy. We also discuss the main strategies and protocols of therapeutic exercises for joints and muscles with deficits, which are applicable to all diabetic patients with mild to moderate neuropathy. We describe further efforts in exploiting the applicability of assistive technologies to improve the adherence to an exercise program. Following the contemporary trends towards self-monitoring and self-care, we developed a software to monitor and promote personalized exercises with the aim of improving autonomous performance in daily living tasks. Initiatives to prevent the complications of functional diabetes are highly recommended before it is too late for the patient and there is no longer an opportunity to reverse the tragic consequences of neuropathy progression.

Diabetic foot and exercise therapy: step by step the role of rigid posture and biomechanics treatment

Lower extremity ulcers represent a serious and costly complication of diabetes mellitus. Many factors contribute to the development of diabetic foot. Peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease are the main causes of foot ulceration and contribute in turn to the growth of additional risk factors such as limited joint mobility, muscular alterations and foot deformities. Moreover, a deficit of balance, posture and biomechanics can be present, in particular in patients at high risk for ulceration. The result of this process may be the development of a vicious cycle which leads to abnormal distribution of the foot's plantar pressures in static and dynamic postural conditions. This review shows that some of these risk factors significantly improve after a few weeks of exercise therapy (ET) intervention. Accordingly it has been suggested that ET can be an important weapon in the prevention of foot ulcer. The aim of ET can relate to one or more alterations typically found in diabetic patients, although greater attention should be paid to the evaluation and possible correction of body balance, rigid posture and biomechanics. Some of the most important limitations of ET are difficult access to therapy, patient compliance and the transitoriness of the results if the training stops. Many proposals have been made to overcome such limitations. In particular, it is important that specialized centers offer the opportunity to participate in ET and during the treatment the team should work to change the patient's lifestyle by improving the execution of appropriate daily physical activity.