Pressure and pain in systemic sclerosis/scleroderma--an evaluation of a simple intervention (PISCES): randomised controlled trial protocol.
BACKGROUND
Foot problems associated with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc)/Scleroderma have been reported to be both common and disabling. There are only limited data describing specifically, the mechanical changes occurring in the foot in SSc. A pilot project conducted in preparation for this trial confirmed the previous reports of foot related impairment and reduced foot function in people with SSc and demonstrated a link to mechanical etiologies. To-date there have been no formal studies of interventions directed at the foot problems experienced by people with Systemic Sclerosis. The primary aim of this trial is to evaluate whether foot pain and foot-related health status in people with Systemic Sclerosis can be improved through the provision of a simple pressure-relieving insole.


METHODS
The proposed trial is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomised controlled clinical trial following a completed pilot study. In four participating centres, 140 consenting patients with SSc and plantar foot pain will be randomised to receive either a commercially available pressure relieving and thermally insulating insole, or a sham insole with no cushioning or thermal properties. The primary end point is a reduction in pain measured using the Foot Function Index Pain subscale, 12 weeks after the start of intervention. Participants will complete the primary outcome measure (Foot Function Index pain sub-scale) prior to randomisation and at 12 weeks post randomisation. Secondary outcomes include participant reported pain and disability as derived from the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Questionnaire and plantar pressures with and without the insoles in situ.


CONCLUSIONS
This trial protocol proposes a rigorous and potentially significant evaluation of a simple and readily provided therapeutic approach which, if effective, could be of a great benefit for this group of patients.


BACKGROUND
ISRCTN: ISRCTN02824122.
Division of Musculoskeletal Disease, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. B.Alcacer-Pitarch@leeds.ac.uk
Begonya
B
Alcacer-Pitarch
Maya H
MH
Buch
Janine
J
Gray
Christopher P
CP
Denton
Ariane
A
Herrick
Nuria
N
Navarro-Coy
Howard
H
Collier
Lorraine
L
Loughrey
Sue
S
Pavitt
Heidi J
HJ
Siddle
Jonathan
J
Wright
Philip S
PS
Helliwell
Paul
P
Emery
Anthony C
AC
Redmond
D000368:Aged; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000592:standards*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012107:Research Design; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*