Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy experienced high levels of test-retest reliability for dynamic plantar loading and foot geometry, which differed by foot region, according to the results of a recently published study.
Researchers collected dynamic plantar loading and foot geometry data from 10 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy during barefoot gait with the EMED platform (NovelGMBH;Munich, Germany). Data were collected during two sessions, separated by 28 days. To determine test-retest reliability, researchers calculated intra-class correlation coefficients and coefficients of variation.
According to study results, levels of reliability that differed by outcome measure and foot region were exhibited by measures of dynamic plantar loading and foot geometry. Reliability was lowest for sub-arch angle, but high for all other measures for dynamic foot geometry. Researchers observed the lowest reliability at the hallux and lateral midfoot regions for peak pressure, at the two heel regions and the second toe for contact time and at the three toe regions for maximum force, as well as force-time integral. Study results also showed maximum force and force-time integral had highest reliability at all forefoot and midfoot regions, while peak pressure and contact time experienced high reliability for all other regions.
Disclosure: The researchers have no relevant financial disclosures.
