Effectiveness of Thermography-Based Foot Care Interventions for Preventing Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31290/jkt.v12i2.6693Keywords:
Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Foot Ulcer, Infrared Thermography, Thermal Imaging, Systematic Review.Abstract
Background: Diabetic foot ulcers are serious complications of diabetes mellitus associated with morbidity, disability, and lower-limb amputation. Infrared thermography offers a non-invasive approach for detecting thermal changes associated with inflammation, neuropathy, and vascular impairment before ulcer formation.
Objective: To systematically review the role of infrared thermography in the early detection, prevention, and monitoring of diabetic foot ulcer risk.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2020 and 2026. Study selection followed PRISMA guidelines, and methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. Data were synthesized using narrative thematic analysis.
Results: Of 687 records identified, 612 remained after duplicate removal, 72 underwent full-text assessment, and 10 studies met the eligibility criteria. Infrared thermography detected plantar thermal asymmetry (0.2–1.0°C), identified early inflammatory changes, and supported diabetic foot ulcer risk classification. Integration with artificial intelligence and mobile-based thermography improved diagnostic performance, with CNN-based models achieving accuracy of up to 88%. However, evidence regarding its effectiveness as a standalone intervention for ulcer prevention remained inconsistent.
Conclusion: Infrared thermography shows potential as a non-invasive tool for early detection and monitoring of diabetic foot ulcer risk. However, evidence supporting its standalone preventive effectiveness remains limited. Standardized measurement protocols, integration with clinical assessment, and further high-quality prospective studies are required.
Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Foot; Foot Ulcer; Infrared Thermography; Early Diagnosis
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