Contribution of Psychological Factors in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing

Overview

Project Summary

This project aims to determine the contribution of psychological variables in Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) healing over time and to assess the impact of two stress interventions such as muscular relaxation compared to hypnosis versus single standard DFU treatment on ulcer healing physiological indicators (stress, inflammatory and angiogenic markers; biochemical parameters; biomarkers) and quality of life, at the first consultation (T0), end of the intervention (T1) and six months later (T2), in patients with DFU. This study will contribute to fill the gap between patients clinical variables and DFU healing and is the first national and international study to assess the effectiveness of psychological interventions, in chronic wound healing, using a longitudinal randomized design. Results are expected to contribute to prevent amputation surgery, enhance the quality of life of this population, contributing as well to reduce the economic costs associated with this serious clinical condition.

Main Goals

This is the first national and international study to include the contribution of psychological variables and the assessment of two psychological interventions including physiological indicators of wound healing prognosis (inflammatory markers; biochemical parameters, oxidative stress, angiogenic markers, and miRNA biomarkers) using a longitudinal randomized design. The purpose is to contribute to DFU healing, prevent amputation surgery enhancing QoL, and reduce the economic costs associated with this serious condition.

Project Details