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CompletedNCT05197166Updated Sep 14, 2023

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

An observational study in Foot Diseases and Ankle Disorders Injuries, sponsored by Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra. Completed at 1 site in Portugal. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-09-14.

Sponsored by Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
200
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study 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.

Read the 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.

02

Conditions studied

  • Foot Diseases
  • Ankle Disorders Injuries

Keywords

  • foot disorders
  • ankle disorders
  • nursing
  • foot health
  • foot self-care
03

In context

Foot Diseases

47 studies on the registry are indexed under Foot Diseases; 9 are open to participants now.

Browse Foot Diseases studies →

Lead sponsor

Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra is the lead sponsor of 11 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
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),

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

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

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of for baropodometric-related measurements;
  • No consent to take part in the study.
  • History of orthopaedic, neurological, and/or musculoskeletal problems likely to affect gait.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Contraindication

A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.

05

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
200 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • Nursing students

    Nursing students exposed to standing environments (prolonged walking and prolonged standing) during acute clinical settings (e.g., hospitals).

    Other: Acute Clinical Settings

Interventions

  • OtherAcute Clinical Settings

    Acute clinical settings, like hospitals, where students are exposed to normal daily shift activities, involving prolonged walking and standing positions.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Podiatric Profile at 5 months

    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.

    Time frame: Evaluated before (Month 0) and after (Month 5) the exposure (acute clinical settings).

  2. Change in Foot Health at 5 months

    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.

    Time frame: Evaluated before (Month 0) and after (Month 5) the exposure (acute clinical settings).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Foot Self-Care Knowledge

    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.

    Time frame: During the exposure time; between Month 0 and Month 5.

  2. Student's perceptions

    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.

    Time frame: After exposure time (Month 5).

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC)
    Coimbra, Portugal
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Stolt M, Miikkola M, Suhonen R, Leino-Kilpi H. Nurses' Perceptions of Their Foot Health: Implications for Occupational Health Care. Workplace Health Saf. 2018 Mar;66(3):136-143. doi: 10.1177/2165079917727011. Epub 2017 Aug 31. PubMed 28856977 ↗
  • Stolt M, Katajisto J, Peltonen J, Suhonen R, Leino-Kilpi H. Development and testing of a new electronic foot health promotion programme on nurses' foot self-care. BMC Nurs. 2020 Apr 19;19:29. doi: 10.1186/s12912-020-00423-z. eCollection 2020. PubMed 32327936 ↗
  • Bakker EJM, Verhaegh KJ, Kox JHAM, van der Beek AJ, Boot CRL, Roelofs PDDM, Francke AL. Late dropout from nursing education: An interview study of nursing students' experiences and reasons. Nurse Educ Pract. 2019 Aug;39:17-25. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2019.07.005. Epub 2019 Jul 15. PubMed 31352089 ↗
  • Hagedorn TJ, Dufour AB, Riskowski JL, Hillstrom HJ, Menz HB, Casey VA, Hannan MT. Foot disorders, foot posture, and foot function: the Framingham foot study. PLoS One. 2013 Sep 5;8(9):e74364. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0074364. eCollection 2013. PubMed 24040231 ↗
  • Chiwaridzo M, Makotore V, Dambi JM, Munambah N, Mhlanga M. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among registered general nurses: a case of a large central hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe. BMC Res Notes. 2018 May 18;11(1):315. doi: 10.1186/s13104-018-3412-8. PubMed 29776452 ↗
  • Stolt M, Suhonen R, Puukka P, Viitanen M, Voutilainen P, Leino-Kilpi H. Nurses' knowledge of foot care in the context of home care: a cross-sectional correlational survey study. J Clin Nurs. 2015 Oct;24(19-20):2916-25. doi: 10.1111/jocn.12922. Epub 2015 Jul 14. PubMed 26179162 ↗
  • Stolt M, Suhonen R, Kielo E, Katajisto J, Leino-Kilpi H. Foot health of nurses-A cross-sectional study. Int J Nurs Pract. 2017 Aug;23(4). doi: 10.1111/ijn.12560. Epub 2017 Jun 19. PubMed 28631438 ↗
  • Yan P, Li F, Zhang L, Yang Y, Huang A, Wang Y, Yao H. Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Nurses Working in Hospitals of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Pain Res Manag. 2017;2017:5757108. doi: 10.1155/2017/5757108. Epub 2017 Jul 13. PubMed 28785160 ↗
  • Richardson A, Gurung G, Derrett S, Harcombe H. Perspectives on preventing musculoskeletal injuries in nurses: A qualitative study. Nurs Open. 2019 Apr 13;6(3):915-929. doi: 10.1002/nop2.272. eCollection 2019 Jul. PubMed 31367415 ↗
  • Sanchez-Saez JM, Palomo-Lopez P, Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo R, Calvo-Lobo C, Losa-Iglesias ME, Lopez-Del-Amo-Lorente A, Lopez-Lopez D. Stability of Three Different Sanitary Shoes on Healthcare Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jun 16;16(12):2126. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16122126. PubMed 31208123 ↗
  • Abledu JK, Offei EB. Musculoskeletal disorders among first-year Ghanaian students in a nursing college. Afr Health Sci. 2015 Jun;15(2):444-9. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v15i2.18. PubMed 26124790 ↗
  • Bernardes RA, Caldeira S, Parreira P, Sousa LB, Almeida IF, Santos-Costa P, Paiva-Santos F, Guardado Cruz A. Baropodometric Assessment of the Podiatric Profile of Nursing Students in Clinical Settings: A Study Protocol. Front Public Health. 2022 May 12;10:862048. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.862048. eCollection 2022. PubMed 35646767 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — IPD will not be shared with other researchers

09

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reached

Ran from Jan 2022 to primary completion in Jul 2022, 6 months.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Dec 15, 2021
First posted
Jan 19, 2022
StartActual
Jan 1, 2022
Primary completionActual
Jul 26, 2022
CompletionActual
Dec 30, 2022
Last update
Sep 14, 2023
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 14, 2023, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05197166
Lead sponsor
Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra
Collaborators
University of Turku, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Responsible party
Rafael Alves Bernardes (Registered Nurse, Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jan 19, 2022
Start date
Jan 1, 2022
Primary completion
Jul 26, 2022
Completion
Dec 30, 2022
Last update
Sep 14, 2023

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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