Research

Thorough research takes time - and we’ve taken 4 years to develop The Paladin Medical and Life Socks range. Our focus has been on the foot complications associated with Diabetes.

We needed to find a suitable interface between the skin of the foot and footwear that would maintain the skin integrity. That is, keep feet healthy.

Our Research and evidence – based testing is ongoing and has involved numerous universities and institutes internatinally.

Our ongoing research includes the following:

1. Submitting socks to verify that they meet the performance standards to carry the seacell active brand

2. Shrinkage Tests based on a normal life of a sock

3. The Martindale test: which submits the sole of the sock to abrasive force and measures the % mass weight loss . This determines the level of durability and ongoing foot protection that the sock offers

4. Testing the socks for Thermo Regulatory properties

5. Testing the level of impact protection

6. Testing the socks to see whether they prevent the growth of bacteria , fungus and odour

7. Testing to see whether the paladin sock reduces friction and shear forces that can lead to blisters

8. Testing to see if the paladin sock prevents the build up of static electricity

9. Testing of the compression at the ankle area (mmHg)

Before going to the market clinical trials were conducted.

Letters of introduction, assessment and feedback forms along with samples of the Paladin therapeutic socks were sent out to 33 podiatrists with at least 10 eligible patients each, from practices located throughout New Zealand. The purpose of the sample was to determine the demand and requirements for a therapeutic sock which offers consumers a naturally harmonious alternative material to the synthetic options currently available. Information was given on the Paladin design philosophy and distinctive design features, introducing the product as a health sock that not only afforded superior protection to the feet from pressure, friction and shearing forces, but was also extremely comfortable to wear.

Those requested to sample the Paladin sock and respond to the
questionnaires included:
a) podiatrists
b) candidates diagnosed with type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus,
classified low risk, who had:

• no impaired sensation in the feet
• no previous history of ulceration
• no significant clinical evidence of limb-threatening pedal complications of diabetes

The ideal candidates were newly diagnosed with no current risk of diabetes related
foot complications. They were to have palpable pedal pulses and no
history of peripheral arterial disease.
c) equal gender representation and a wide age group (teenage to 80 years) were
also to be covered.

Methodology

1. Each candidate was provided with two pairs of socks and asked to wear these as
much as possible and in as many different sporting, leisure and formal activities
possible within the four week trial.

2. Suggested activities included walking, running, cycling, skiing, playing golf,
exercising at the gym, working in the office, working in industrial areas wearing
work boots, and working on the farm wearing gumboots.

3. The sample groups were further instructed to trial the socks while wearing as
many different styles and types of footwear as possible.

4. One sample group was required to wear the socks for four consecutive days
without washing the socks, and was instructed to air the socks each night and
wash them on the fourth day.

Each patient was given an assessment form to fill out at the end of the trial period.
The user-friendly, predominantly tick-box questionnaire included general questions about the individual’s sock use and buying preferences, as well as his or her reaction to and experience and assessment of the Paladin therapeutic sock.
Podiatrists were also issued with a feedback form requesting their personal
wearing experience and assessment of the sock, rating it for features such as:
comfort, cushioning, warmth, fit, protection, style, airflow capacity, as well as
temperature, moisture & odour control. They were also asked to comment on the
value of the information provided, and asked if they would prescribe the product
to their patients, confident that it would provide a safe and effective protective
interface between the skin of the foot and the shoe.

Response

The data received from the sample population can be broadly divided into two categories:
responses with regard to the material of the sock, and responses relating to the specific design features, although it is often a combination of these factors that contributes to a particular result.

a) The feedback was overwhelmingly positive about the use of New Zealand Merino wool in the Paladin sock, commenting favourably on the lack of odour produced and on its capacity to remain warm, soft and comfortable during exercise and afterwards.
Many noted a sustained increase in warmth to the feet, suggesting that the ability of Merino fibres to manage moisture and resist the build-up of dampness and odour is why the candidates were able to tolerate long periods of wear in various active and leisure situations and still maintain a sensation of warmth and comfort.

b) The supportive close-fitting design of the sock also drew many favourable responses, concluding that this too assisted in the retention of a warm environment, while at the same time contributing markedly to a reduction in skin friction and blister formation in the predisposed active population. The mesh panels were deduced to further facilitate this result, by increasing the airflow and avoiding the build-up of excess water against the skin.

Particular mention was given to the ease in which the sock was able to be put on and taken off, and positive feedback was unanimous with regard to the non-restrictive high-stretch cuff which allowed a relaxed and comfortable fit around the lower calf region without the tendency to fall down.

Podiatrists showed confidence in the opportunity the Paladin socks offer to their diabetic patients, namely that of acting as a protective buffer from frictional and shearing stresses that would otherwise impact on the skin of the foot, as well as effectively managing temperature and moisture to maintain softness and suppleness of the skin.