FOOTSAK
Why is footwear fit important for people with diabetes?
Typically, two in three pairs of footwear worn by people with diabetes are incorrectly fitting. Footwear is important as one in five foot ulcers are associated with incorrectly fitting footwear. Good fitting footwear is also essential when walking to stay healthy.
What is FOOTSAK?
FOOTSAK is a home FOOTwear Self-Assessment Kit. FOOTSAK is intended to empower people with diabetes by providing the tools and instructional materials they need to be able to self-assess whether their footwear has adequate length and width. It can also be used to help when deciding whether to purchase a new pair of shoes.
FOOTSAK includes measuring tools, an instruction booklet and helpful videos and animations to show how to assess whether everyday footwear has adequate length and width for feet. FOOTSAK’s measuring tools include a slide rule for measuring the length and width of each foot (known as a ‘ritz stick’). There is also a gauge for measuring the available length inside each shoe , and callipers for measuring the available width inside each shoe . FOOTSAK comes with instructional materials that include a large text booklet, a handy magnifying glass as well as video and animations available from this website.
FOOTSAK is intended to be received through the post. As foot measurements are performed whilst a person is standing, it is necessary to be aided by another person (for example, a partner, family member, friend, or carer) in taking these measurements.
How was FOOTSAK designed?
People with diabetes had direct input into the idea of FOOTSAK, the selection of equipment that comprises FOOTSAK, the instruction booklet, and the decision whether to apply for funding to pursue this idea further.
Researcher Petra Jones continues to meet with people with diabetes and ask them to try out FOOTSAK for themselves, and critically review the instructional materials in order to optimise and improve both the kit and instructional materials.
How can I try FOOTSAK?
FOOTSAK is a prototype and currently we are seeking the views of people with diabetes in order to iteratively improve the kit and instructional materials for its use. We are actively looking for individuals with diabetes, especially those with neuropathy willing to try out the kit and give their views and opinions. If you are interested in trying out FOOTSAK or have comments and feedback regarding this site or FOOTSAK instructional materials, or simply want to share your experiences with footwear, please contact Petra Jones.
What’s next for FOOTSAK?
We propose a feasibility study to assess the accuracy, consistency and ease of use of foot and footwear measurements made by people with diabetes using FOOTSAK. Study results will determine further improvements to video and instructional materials, determine whether FOOTSAK measuring tools will continue to be used or replaced by alternate tools in consultation with people with diabetes. If accuracy, consistency and ease of use are above pre-determined thresholds, a larger follow-up study will look at whether FOOTSAK can be used to reduce both the number of people with diabetes wearing incorrectly fitting footwear and the time they spend wearing it.
Beyond this, it is our intention to carry out a larger subsequent study to determine whether the FOOTSAK can reduce the number of people ulcerating by identifying incorrectly fitting footwear and reducing the number of weekly hours for which it is worn, by comparing ulceration rates in those provided with the FOOTSAK and a control group without the FOOTSAK.
We will share our findings with patients, health professionals and researchers using social media, online (including this website) and printed materials and report the findings of any research studies in peer-reviewed medical research journals. We will also produce short videos in which people with diabetes talk about their experience using the FOOTSAK.