The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Footwear related problems following stroke: qualitative study of the views and experience of people with stroke in the SHOES Study

Footwear related problems following stroke: qualitative study of the views and experience of people with stroke in the SHOES Study
Footwear related problems following stroke: qualitative study of the views and experience of people with stroke in the SHOES Study
Purpose: Foot problems and suboptimal footwear are risk factors for falls among the elderly. Footwear choice may therefore be important for people with balance impairment following stroke but little is known about their experience. This study explored foot problems experienced following stroke, factors influencing footwear choices and views of footwear in use.
Methods: Eligibility criteria were diagnosis of a stroke, able to walk and willingness to participate. Semi structured interviews with 15 people with stroke [PwS], purposively sampled from respondents to a screening survey. The sampling process drew on information about mobility (with or without falls), reliance on walking aids or other people, able to walk more than ¼ mile. Interviews were conducted in participant’s homes. Participants were asked to make available for discussion items of footwear currently being worn indoors and out. Data were managed and analysed thematically using Framework.
Results: The sample comprised 15 people, 8 men and 7 women ranging in age from 52-84 years; mean 71 years with varying levels of mobility. Participants typically experienced impaired mobility with balance problems and felt at risk of falling. Stroke related foot problems, including altered sensation, oedema, and foot drop, predominantly on the stroke affected side, influenced footwear priorities. Footwear choices prioritised comfort, security and convenience, sometimes in tension with concern about appearance. Challenges included choosing appropriate indoor footwear and finding shoes to accommodate orthoses and oedema. Participants highlighted perceived lack of footwear advice from health care professionals [HCPs] and variable experience of shoe shopping.
Conclusion(s): Foot problems, as well as gait and balance impairment, have implications for footwear priorities following stroke but PwS feel unsupported in making healthy footwear choices. HCPs could be trained to routinely deliver footwear assessment and advice and facilitate referrals to specialist podiatry services where appropriate
Ashburn, Ann
818b9ce8-f025-429e-9532-43ee4fd5f991
Ashburn, Ann
818b9ce8-f025-429e-9532-43ee4fd5f991

Ashburn, Ann (2017) Footwear related problems following stroke: qualitative study of the views and experience of people with stroke in the SHOES Study. World Confederation for Physical Therapy Congress 2017, , Cape Town, South Africa. 02 - 04 Jul 2017.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)

Abstract

Purpose: Foot problems and suboptimal footwear are risk factors for falls among the elderly. Footwear choice may therefore be important for people with balance impairment following stroke but little is known about their experience. This study explored foot problems experienced following stroke, factors influencing footwear choices and views of footwear in use.
Methods: Eligibility criteria were diagnosis of a stroke, able to walk and willingness to participate. Semi structured interviews with 15 people with stroke [PwS], purposively sampled from respondents to a screening survey. The sampling process drew on information about mobility (with or without falls), reliance on walking aids or other people, able to walk more than ¼ mile. Interviews were conducted in participant’s homes. Participants were asked to make available for discussion items of footwear currently being worn indoors and out. Data were managed and analysed thematically using Framework.
Results: The sample comprised 15 people, 8 men and 7 women ranging in age from 52-84 years; mean 71 years with varying levels of mobility. Participants typically experienced impaired mobility with balance problems and felt at risk of falling. Stroke related foot problems, including altered sensation, oedema, and foot drop, predominantly on the stroke affected side, influenced footwear priorities. Footwear choices prioritised comfort, security and convenience, sometimes in tension with concern about appearance. Challenges included choosing appropriate indoor footwear and finding shoes to accommodate orthoses and oedema. Participants highlighted perceived lack of footwear advice from health care professionals [HCPs] and variable experience of shoe shopping.
Conclusion(s): Foot problems, as well as gait and balance impairment, have implications for footwear priorities following stroke but PwS feel unsupported in making healthy footwear choices. HCPs could be trained to routinely deliver footwear assessment and advice and facilitate referrals to specialist podiatry services where appropriate

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Accepted/In Press date: 24 February 2017
Published date: July 2017
Venue - Dates: World Confederation for Physical Therapy Congress 2017, , Cape Town, South Africa, 2017-07-02 - 2017-07-04
Organisations: Researcher Development

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 406970
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/406970
PURE UUID: 12bc301b-a8c8-4197-8c1b-201417d1ea7a

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 29 Mar 2017 01:05
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 12:58

Export record

Contributors

Author: Ann Ashburn

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×