Lay summary
Damage to nerves and blood vessels are feared complications of diabetes. In the foot, this leads to loss of sensation making patients unable to feel pressure and pain, especially on their soles. This directly contributes to pressure ulceration and impaired healing and the risk of infection and gangrene. Diabetic foot ulcers are the leading cause of amputations, with Maori and Pacifika at greatest risk. This is a significant problem in New Zealand and new strategies for prevention and early detection are required. Fastidious foot care is recommended. We have developed a home-based foot monitoring system to detect early signs of diabetic foot complications. In this project, we aim to conduct a pilot deployment of our system that will allow us to build relationships with Diabetologists and relevant community services, to collect data on user experience and efficacy for device optimization and to design definitive future prospective trials.