Real-world evaluation of a novel hip protection garment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Real-world evaluation and development of a novel hip protection garment to promote health activities and reduce the risk of hip fracture in older people living with frailty: an action research study
IRAS ID
349354
Contact name
Frazer Underwood
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Older people are at higher risk of falls than the rest of the population and more likely to experience a fractured hip. Professor Chirs Whitty’s independent report of Health in an Aging Society highlights inequalities for rural living older people compared to urban dwellers. Referring to use of ‘active transport’ such as walking safely, he focuses on multiple benefits for the individual and wider society, such as maintaining independence and preventing or reducing the burden of multiple health problems and frailty. Studies have shown that regular exercise is the most effective way of preventing falls in older people.
Traditionally hip protection garments are unpopular because they're uncomfortable to wear, difficult to put on and take off, and many people don't like the way they look. A PhD study conducted in a university renowned for is creative academic work has collaborated with clients of a community health and fitness provider, working in the field of healthy aging to support the development of a novel hip protection garment to overcome these concerns and encourage active lifestyles choices. The PhD concluded that such ‘sporty’ activewear, with built-in hip protection is more appealing to older users than traditional underwear hip protectors.
This new study aims to bring about real-world evaluation of this novel hip protection garment (not physically worn by older people previously) to promote health activities and reduce the risk of hip fracture in older people living with frailty. The action research study design will recruit participants to support two action cycles of evaluation. This study forms the first stage of a larger scale evaluation programme.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EE/0146
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion