Baropodometric Assessment of the Podiatric Profile of Nursing Students in Clinical Settings

September 13, 2023 updated by: Rafael Alves Bernardes, Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra

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.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

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.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

200

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Portugal
      • Coimbra, Portugal
        • Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC)

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Nursing students (enrolled in a nursing bachelor of a Nursing School), in learning clinical settings (acute care),

Description

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.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Cohort
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Nursing students
Nursing students exposed to standing environments (prolonged walking and prolonged standing) during acute clinical settings (e.g., hospitals).
Other: Acute Clinical Settings
Acute clinical settings, like hospitals, where students are exposed to normal daily shift activities, involving prolonged walking and standing positions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Podiatric Profile at 5 months
Time Frame: Evaluated before (Month 0) and after (Month 5) the exposure (acute clinical settings).
It relates to specific foot-related dynamic variables while standing or walking, illustrating the actual behaviour of the foot during activity. The podiatric profile is assessed through a pedography platform, which gives values of pressure (throughout time), exerted force, and contact areas of the foot.
Evaluated before (Month 0) and after (Month 5) the exposure (acute clinical settings).
Change in Foot Health at 5 months
Time Frame: Evaluated before (Month 0) and after (Month 5) the exposure (acute clinical settings).
Foot health relates to the observed clinical parameters, signs, and symptoms of this body part, namely skin, nails, and structure, and is evaluated through a subjective self-assessment Liker-type instrument with four dimensions related to general foot health.
Evaluated before (Month 0) and after (Month 5) the exposure (acute clinical settings).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Foot Self-Care Knowledge
Time Frame: During the exposure time; between Month 0 and Month 5.
Self-care knowledge is assessed through a four-dimensional questionnaire, where specific interventions for the promotion and prevention of foot and ankle disorders are evaluated.
During the exposure time; between Month 0 and Month 5.
Student's perceptions
Time Frame: After exposure time (Month 5).
Nursing student's perceptions on the influence of foot health in their quality of life during exposure time. It is evaluated through semi-structured interviews and focus groups.
After exposure time (Month 5).

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra

Collaborators

University of Turku
Universidade Católica Portuguesa

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 1, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 26, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

December 30, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 15, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 4, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

January 19, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 14, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 13, 2023

Last Verified

September 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 151102

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

IPD will not be shared with other researchers

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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