Users' needs and expectations and the design of a new custom-made indoor footwear solution for people with diabetes at risk of foot ulceration

Purpose To assess users' needs and expectations regarding custom-made indoor footwear, and to design such footwear with similar biomechanical efficacy and better usability compared to regular custom-made footwear in people with diabetes at risk for foot ulceration. Materials and methods Multidisciplinary systematic design approach. Needs and expectations regarding indoor footwear were evaluated via a questionnaire in 50 high foot ulcer risk people with diabetes using custom-made footwear. We systematically designed indoor footwear, and manufactured this for nine participants. Primary requirement was similar plantar pressure compared to participants' regular custom-made footwear. Results Eighty-two percent of participants expressed a need for custom-made indoor footwear and 66% expected such footwear to increase their adherence. The custom-made indoor footwear had the same bottom construction as participants' regular custom-made footwear, but with softer and more light-weight upper materials. Peak pressures were similar or lower, while qualitative evaluation showed better usability and lower costs for indoor footwear. Conclusions People with diabetes at risk of foot ulceration expressed a clear need for custom-made indoor footwear, and expected such footwear to increase their adherence. Our indoor footwear design provides adequate pressure relief, with better usability, and can be produced at lower costs compared to regular custom-made footwear.

Automated summary

This study assessed the needs and expectations of custom-made indoor footwear for high-risk diabetes patients, designing footwear with similar biomechanical efficacy and better usability to prevent foot ulcers. The custom-made indoor footwear provided pressure relief and improved usability at lower costs compared to regular custom-made footwear for people at risk of foot ulceration.