Development of a customized booklet of foot-ankle exercises for people with diabetes mellitus as a management and prevention tool for musculoskeletal complications A customized booklet of foot-ankle exercises for people with diabetes

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) compromises the structures of the musculoskeletal system, especially in the foot-ankle complex. Foot-related exercises can be a promising tool to be incorporated in health care programs to manage and prevent musculoskeletal complications resulting from DM and DPN progression. Objective: To present the development, validation, and usability evaluation of a booklet that directs training and personalizes the progression of a home-based program of foot-ankle exercises. Methods: The booklet containing a foot-ankle exercise program developed in a previous clinical trial was validated using the Delphi technique, with a multi-professional jury of experts who assessed the content of the material, language, individual education, exercise execution, exercise quality, and material implementation. The validated version was evaluated through telephone interview by a convenience sample of 10 individuals with DPN regarding its relevance, health education, comprehension, and usability.

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This article introduces the development, validation, and usability evaluation of a booklet that directs foot-ankle exercises. The booklet was validated using the Delphi technique and assessed by a panel of experts. A telephone interview was conducted to evaluate its relevance, health education, comprehension, and usability.