ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of foot reflexology on capillary blood glucose, feet tissue temperature, and plantar pressure of the feet of individuals with diabetes mellitus (type 2). METHODS: Forty-five individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus were stratified into 2 groups: treated (n = 21), which received orientation about foot self-care and received 12 foot reflexology sessions; and control (n = 24), which received only orientations about foot self-care. A portable glucose meter, an infrared thermography camera, and a baropodometer evaluated the variables. RESULTS: The data indicate that, after 12 therapy sessions, there were no significant differences between the groups for producing effects on capillary blood glucose, feet tissue temperature, and plantar pressure. CONCLUSION: No significant effect was observed after 12 foot reflexology sessions in the variables that were evaluated.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability of image assessment of infrared thermography of the plantar surface of people with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Fifty-one participants with diabetes were included. The interexaminer reliability (test) consisted of measuring the temperature of the plantar surface by 2 evaluators who separately performed the analysis of thermographic images. The intraexaminer reliability (retest) consisted of the revaluation of the images by a single evaluator 10 days after the first analysis. RESULTS: The analysis of intrareliability and interreliability indicated excellent levels of correlation (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.75, 95% confidence interval >0.70) in the plantar surface points analyzed. CONCLUSION: Infrared thermography image evaluation identified intrareliability and interreliability for temperature analysis of the plantar surface of people with diabetes mellitus. However, further studies need to be conducted to assess validity and its application in health care.
