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Research type
Research Study
Full title
A new, novel walking frame for older adults in community settings – a single-arm feasibility study with embedded process evaluation and health economic analysis
IRAS ID
333393
Contact name
Abi Hall
Contact email
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN16215899
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Walking frames have been used for many years to help people walk. They may be used by people who are unsteady on their feet or after an operation or illness when walking is difficult. Indoor frames were designed many years ago and haven’t changed much since. Outdoor frames have evolved and now offer people different options, but the standard indoor walking frame has not significantly changed since they were first introduced. There have been many difficulties reported using indoor walking frames, but there are no suitable alternatives. These difficulties include things like it not moving well on carpet, being too heavy to move and often not fitting in small spaces that people have in their homes.
This study aims to look at a new indoor walking frame that has been designed to overcome some of the problems that have been reported for the original walking frame. The main aim of the study is to see what people think about it and whether it is acceptable and easy to use and it will help to inform another study where we will look at how the frame changes people’s activity levels. We will get people to try the new frame and then ask for their feedback about using it. We will also measure how well they are walking and how active they are. We are interested to see if the frame will improve the amount people walk.
This study will inform a larger study in the future which will aim to find out how the frame affects people’s ability to walk and be active.REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0103
Date of REC Opinion
2 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion