Effects of Footcare-programs Intervention using Thermography and Blood Flow Meters on the Self-care Ability of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a footcare-programs intervention using thermography and blood flow meters on the self-care behavior for foot and the self-care ability of patients with type 2 diabetes

Methods: This study included sixteen outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The care program lasted for 60 minutes per session and was performed every 4 to 8 weeks for a total of four sessions. Subjective assessments of better understanding of the body prone to vascular disorders using the visual analog scale (VAS), self-care behaviors using the summary of diabetes self-care activities (SDSCA), self-care ability utilizing the self-care agency questionnaire 30 (SCAQ-30). All data were collected at baseline and postintervention.

Results: After the intervention, the subjective sensation (VAS) of “understanding one’s blood vessels and blood flow” enhanced significantly (p < 0.001), and self-care behavioral scores for foot care and self-care ability scores improved significantly (p < 0.001) compared to baseline. There was a significant negative correlation (r = –0.66, p < 0.001) between the degree of improvements in foot care behavioral score and disease duration.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that this foot care program is inferred to have greatly improved self-care behaviors regarding foot care, leading to the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers in patients at the early stages of diabetes.