Low-cost EDA device for screening diabetic neuropathy

Purpose: Poor electrodermal activity (EDA) may be related to diabetic neuropathy. The aims of this study were to investigate the characteristics of EDA, to design a portable electronic device capable of acquiring it and to formulate a hypothesis regarding the relationship between EDA and diabetic foot. Materials and methods: This study investigated the relationship between EDA signal and diabetic neuropathy using a self-designed device, and tested it with a procedure defined for diabetic foot screening. After that, mean skin conductance level (M-SCL), mean skin conductance response (M-SCR) to stimuli, and difference in mean SCL between feet (DBF) were obtained. Participants were assessed based on whether they had diabetes or not and on their clinical history and care habits. Afterwards, 3 groups were selected, namely reference, people with diabetes out of risk, and people with diabetes at risk of diabetic foot. Results: 22 patients were included in the final test. Several types of stimuli were applied through a test, and responses were recorded and analyzed. Diabetic patients reflected lower MSCL and M-SCR values. Statistical difference was found for those being at risk regarding M-SCR (P<0.01). Conclusion: A test protocol was defined, based on prior tests and measures, to acquire proper and reliable data. Lower SCL and SCR were found according to the diabetes progress. In particular, significant difference was found for M-SCR. No significant difference in DBF values for those at risk was found. These results have the potential to be used as part of a diagnostic tool, which may include other parameters and questionnaires, for diabetic foot screening.