29.04.2024

Singaporean researchers, led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), have introduced a mobile application named WellFeet, designed to educate individuals living with diabetes and their caregivers about the disease and assist them in monitoring daily activities, including medication, physical activity, and diet.

WellFeet aims to prevent diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), a common complication affecting one-third of individuals with diabetes. Developed in collaboration with clinicians from Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National Healthcare Group, the app seeks to combat DFUs, which pose serious health risks, including lower limb amputation.

Image: Three researchers smiling at the camera while showcasing their app on a tablet; Copyright: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

(f.l.t.r.) Tan Tock Seng Hospital Senior Consultant Dr Liew Huiling, NTU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) and Head of Psychology at NTU’s School of Social Sciences Associate Professor Andy Ho Hau Yan, and NTU’s LKCMedicine Research Fellow Dr Anita Pienkowska.

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Impact of diabetic foot ulcers in Singapore

In Singapore, approximately 8.5 percent of residents, or around 32,000 individuals, have diabetes. DFUs contribute significantly to healthcare costs due to their high recurrence rate and the associated expenses of treatment and medication.

Evaluation and positive outcomes

WellFeet underwent rigorous testing involving 40 pairs of patients and caregivers, showing positive changes in footcare behavior and diabetes self-care routines within a month of usage. Additionally, the app was evaluated in a larger study involving 835 patients and caregivers across five healthcare institutions in Singapore.

Comprehensive patient education in multiple languages

Unlike existing apps focused solely on measuring ulcer progression, WellFeet offers comprehensive patient education in English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil, catering to Singapore's diverse population.

Professor David Armstrong, from the University of Southern California, praised WellFeet for its potential to reduce amputations and suffering globally, while Associate Professor Andy Ho Hau Yan emphasized its role in addressing the unique needs of diabetes patients and caregivers.

Future developments and public availability

Plans for WellFeet include integrating AI and human health coaching to provide personalized support. The app is expected to be publicly available by mid-2024, aligning with NTU's commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes.

Participants in the study reported finding WellFeet easy to use and beneficial for healthcare access, with patients appreciating its usability and caregivers finding it well-organized and useful.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

More about NTU at: www.ntu.edu.sg