Effectiveness of a foot self-management intervention that utilized commercially available infrared thermometers: Mixed methods research incorporating a pilot RCT.

To evaluate the effectiveness of a foot self-management strategy that utilized a commercially-available infrared thermometer (CAIT) for prevention of diabetic foot ulcers. In this six-month pilot randomized controlled trial, Phase 2 of a three-phase mixed methods research study, 62 participants were randomized to a thermometer and education group (n = 34) and an education-only group (n = 26). Both groups received foot care education and were assessed by a certified orthotist. All participants recorded their number of steps and recorded a foot assessment in a logbook daily. The thermometer and education group also recorded their daily temperature assessment. A temperature difference of >4° Fahrenheit (F) between the two feet prompted participants to rest their feet. Participants were directed to see their healthcare provider if the temperature difference did not decrease to below 4° F in two days. Phase 3 of the study explored the Phase 2 results to understand the findings further. The strategy improved foot assessment and action: the thermometer and education group had significantly more days with any assessment completed than the education-only group (150.98/180 vs. 119.84/180, p = 0.02). Phase 3 findings showed that the thermometer engaged participants, prompted action, and offered reassurance regarding foot health. A CAIT is a tool that could support foot self-management and may offer several benefits, such as promoting and providing structure for a foot assessment and direction for action. NCT0306776 clinicaltrials.gov.

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Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.