Clinical trial NCT05197166: Baropodometric Assessment of the Podiatric Profile of Nursing Students in Clinical Settings
Official title: Baropodometric Assessment of the Podiatric Profile of Nursing Students in Clinical Settings
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Foot Diseases
Ankle Disorders Injuries
Keywords: foot disorders
ankle disorders
nursing
foot health
foot self-care
Lead sponsor: Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: University of Turku
name: Universidade Católica Portuguesa
First posted: 2022-01-19
Enrollment: 200
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: COHORT
Time perspective: PROSPECTIVE
Sampling method: PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: Nursing students (enrolled in a nursing bachelor of a Nursing School), in learning clinical settings (acute care),

Brief summary: The nursing profession is highly affected by exhausting positions, namely prolonged standing and walking, which are the second work-related factor hindering foot health. In fact, the most common work-related disorders among nurses and nursing students are those related to lower limbs, particularly the foot and ankle. Such disorders, if not adequately prevented, contribute to the decrease in quality of life and high student drop-out rates.

To effectively develop preventive interventions among students, namely self-care actions, it's important to assess with detail the relationship and influence that clinical settings have on foot health. According to some authors, the biomechanics of many foot disorders are still poorly understood, and more studies are needed.

In this sense, the aim of this study is to understand the influence of prolonged standing and walking positions on nursing students' foot health. Moreover, what's the relationship between the podiatric profile (regional force and pressure exerted on the foot) and related signs and symptoms.

Detailed description: Work-related injuries, particularly musculoskeletal injuries, are usually an important cause of decreased quality of life and absenteeism from work, being very common in the nursing profession and also among students. Among the most common injuries are those related to the lower limbs, particularly feet and ankles, and the foot health of nurses is not satisfactory, with a great shortage of specific studies in this area and in this population.

Although several studies identify this problem, few describe in detail the causes of pain or discomfort. On the other hand, the podiatry evaluations are poor, which limits a more detailed knowledge of the phenomenon under study. Some solutions, namely the development of ergonomic footwear are insufficient and few interventions are adequate to improve the foot health of nursing students.

The present study aims to understand the influence of prolonged standing and walking positions on nursing students' foot health. Moreover, what's the relationship between the podiatric profile (regional force and pressure exerted on the foot) and related signs and symptoms.

The observational study will consist of two moments (before and after clinical setting periods), in which the participants (Nursing students) will complete a four-dimensional foot health self-assessment instrument (skin health, nail health, foot structure, pain). Additionally, the podiatric profile will be assessed through a force platform scan, which will score force and pressure values. Moreover, foot posture and foot function will be evaluated, through the modified arch index (MAI) and pressure excursion index (CPEI), respectively. Relevant variables will include spatio-temporal, kinematic, and kinetic data.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* A nursing student enrolled in a learning acute clinical setting (e.g., hospitals).
* No diagnosed chronic systematic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
* No diagnosed metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes).
* No visible lower limb swelling.
* No venous or lymphatic insufficiency.
* Voluntary written consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of contraindications for baropodometric-related measurements;
* No consent to take part in the study.
* History of orthopaedic, neurological, and/or musculoskeletal problems likely to affect gait.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change in Podiatric Profile at 5 months
timeFrame: Evaluated before (Month 0) and after (Month 5) the exposure (acute clinical settings).
measure: Change in Foot Health at 5 months
timeFrame: Evaluated before (Month 0) and after (Month 5) the exposure (acute clinical settings).
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Foot Self-Care Knowledge
timeFrame: During the exposure time; between Month 0 and Month 5.
measure: Student's perceptions
timeFrame: After exposure time (Month 5).
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Coimbra
country: Portugal
facility: Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC)
Study officials:
References:
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