The humble sock and its potential benefits for people with diabetes are the subject of a new research project at the University of Otago department of clothing and textile sciences.
Research fellow Dr Rebecca Van Amber is looking for 60 people, aged from 18 to 75, who have been diagnosed with diabetes, to take part in the sock study. She aims to start the six-month research project in March.
''The foot is a part of the body which can be affected by diabetes, and it is a huge problem which impacts on the person's health and quality of life,'' Dr Van Amber said.
''And that is why this research is important - the foot and the sock are usually quite unnoticed, unless something is wrong. Then you know all about it.''
Diabetes was a hugely widespread disease, affecting roughly 200,000 people in New Zealand, and it was estimated that 100,000 people were yet to be diagnosed. In 2009, 40% of lower limb amputations in New Zealand were caused by diabetes.
Dr Van Amber completed her PhD on the performance properties of socks, such as friction and compression, and this had led on to the diabetes study.
''It is recommended that people with diabetes wear shoes and socks all the time to protect their feet, but there isn't really a consensus on what those should be,'' she said.
''This project should hopefully start to shed some light on what people should be wearing.''
Participants in the study will be given socks and shoes to wear, with all 60 people to wear the same base-line sock for the first month. After that, they will be divided into groups, with some in the control group and others wearing New Zealand-manufactured experimental socks, designed by the researchers.
Once every two weeks, participants will have their feet examined, and the skin health will be measured using a painless probe. This testing will be done at Diabetes Otago.
''We will be looking at their feet regularly, so if any problems crop up, we will be able to spot them quickly and refer people to their doctor,'' Dr Van Amber said.
People who have diabetes who would like to be involved are invited to phone Dr Van Amber on 479-7813, or email rebecca.vanamber@otago.ac.nz
