Study on before and after Differences in Ingrown Toenail Management

This study sought to analyze the effects of an ingrown toenail correction program on walking, discomfort, and stress. The research method involved acrylic toenail correction conducted four times at three-week intervals on 28 men and women in their 60s and 70s with ingrown toenail problems. Quantitative and non-quantitative analyzes were conducted to confirm the differences before and after acrylic toenail correction. The quantitative analysis evaluated the differences in electromyography and foot pressure, and the non-quantitative analysis evaluated the differences in discomfort and stress caused by ingrown toenails. Differences before and after implementation were verified with paired sample t-tests. As a result of quantitative analysis, cosmetic ingrown toenail management significantly lowered the activity of the rectus femoris muscle during walking, significantly increased the muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle during squats, and significantly reduced foot pressure. The non-quantitative analysis found that acrylic toenail correction significantly reduced discomfort and stress caused by ingrown toenails. Therefore, this study means that acrylic toenail correction not only helps improve the physical problems of ingrown toenails, contributing to stabilization of walking and lower extremity abilities, but also improves psychological problems such as discomfort and stress caused by ingrown toenails.