None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Diabetes is one of Australia’s greatest health issues, affecting more than 1.5 million Australians. One of the most devastating consequences of the disease is deterioration in foot health that, in severe cases, can lead to amputation. The feet are one of the first parts of the body to be affected by diabetes resulting in muscle weakness, poor circulation and a loss of sensitivity. Clearly, addressing the loss of foot muscle strength and restoring normal foot function will have important implications for the thousands of adults with diabetes who suffer from poor foot health. This study will determine the feasibility and effectiveness an exercise intervention that aims to increase foot muscle strength in people with diabetes. Upon recruitment into the project, participants will undergo a baseline assessment and will then be randomised into either a control or supervised exercise group. We hypothesise that after completing the resistance training program, participants will display improved foot muscle strength and decreased forefoot plantar pressures. The research will address critical health issues related to the ageing foot, with ancillary benefits in the context of falls prevention and foot care for at risk populations. The outcomes of the project will provide vital evidence to develop treatments to restore foot function to this vulnerable group within our community.
Interventions
Participants randomised to the intervention will be enrolled into a supervised exercise program, whereby they will attend a group exercise classes and be lead through the exercises. An Accredited Exercise Physiologist will be employed to conduct the supervised exercise program, and have no involvement with the assessments.
The exercise program consists of a warmup, followed by a series of eight exercises that were developed by the Chief Investigator to strengthen the foot muscles (Short Foot exe
Participants randomised to the intervention will be enrolled into a supervised exercise program, whereby they will attend a group exercise classes and be lead through the exercises. An Accredited Exercise Physiologist will be employed to conduct the supervised exercise program, and have no involvement with the assessments. The exercise program consists of a warmup, followed by a series of eight exercises that were developed by the Chief Investigator to strengthen the foot muscles (Short Foot exercise, heel raises, ankle inversion/eversion/dorsiflexion, toe/hallux flexion and big toe pulls). Most exercises will be performed using exercise bands (66fit latex, Physio Supplies, Spalding, UK), with the resistance level starting from light (yellow) and progressing through to xheavy (blue). The level of exercise difficulty is progressively increased throughout the 12 week program, by increasing either the strength of the resistance bands or the number of repetitions. The number of repetitions and resistance is prescribed each week, however, if a participant finds an exercise too difficult the resistance is not increased and attempted at the next session. All participants will be asked to attend the exercise classes (45 minutes) three times a week, for 12 weeks. Class attendance is recorded by the EP.
Sponsors
Karen Mickle
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
50 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Type 2 Diabetes; be able to walk for at least 10 m unaided; independantly living, peripheral neuropathy; minimal hearing or vision impairments
Exclusion criteria
Type 1 diabetes; Fail the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire; foot or toe amputation, severe foot deformity; peripheral arterial disease (ABI <0.9), foot ulceration, planned foot or leg surgery during the intervention period, received any corticosteroid injections to the forefoot within the last 3 months; have an unstable neurological or health condition (e.g Parkinsons, Motor Neuron Disease, cancer), limited English language skills (i.e unable to read consent form); participating in physical therapy interventions of lower limb
Outcome results
None listed