The Walker Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot investigation into frequent fallers' experiences of an adapted walking frame, designed to reduce the walking aid's associated falls risk.
IRAS ID
216488
Contact name
Sarahjane Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustTrust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
For some patients with mobility issues, a walking frame is provided to keep them on their feet and help them remain more independent in their home and when out and about. When patients are given the walking frame, they are given information on how to use it safely to protect them from hurting themselves. For a small group of patients, using the walking frame is difficult, and they will have a fall because they are unable to use the frame safely. For these patients, a fear of falling can then develop and they can then have more falls. It is thought that these falls with the walking frame happen because the patient steps too far into the frame, making them unstable. We have made a change to a standard walking frame that we think will help improve the stability of patients who step too far into the frame. We have attached a detachable elasticated band, known as the Step Right Buddy, across the back legs of the frame to make patients aware that they have stepped far enough into the frame, to stop them stepping any further. In order to develop this further, we need to understand how people feel using this adapted frame and whether there are any new risks to the user.
We propose to ask patients who are considered to be at risk of falling because of the way they use their walking frame if they would like to use the Step Right Buddy in their home, attached to their standard frame, for a week. At the end of this week, we would like to spend up to an hour with the patients, talking with them about their experiences of the Step Right Buddy. We would also like those involved to keep a record of any adverse events.REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0008
Date of REC Opinion
21 Feb 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion