Effectiveness and acceptability of a newly designed hip protector: a pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Public Health and Epidemiology

Background:

• Hip fractures pose significant economic and personal costs for the elderly, leading to hospitalization and functional decline.
• Effective fall prevention strategies are crucial for maintaining the health and independence of high-risk elderly populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a newly designed hip protector in preventing hip fractures in a realistic nursing home setting.
• To assess resident and staff acceptance and compliance with the hip protector intervention.

Main Methods:

• A randomized intervention-control trial involving 71 high falls risk nursing home residents over 9 months.
• Intervention group (n=40) wore newly designed hip protector pads; control group (n=31) did not.
• Data collected on falls, fractures, protector use, and user acceptance; statistical analysis included relative risk calculation.

Main Results:

• The hip protector group experienced 3 fractures in 191 falls, while the control group had 6 fractures in 101 falls.
• A statistically significant relative risk of 0.264 for fracture was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group.
• Fractures in the protector group occurred when pads were not worn; compliance was 50.3%, influenced by dementia and perceived low risk.

Conclusions:

• The newly designed hip protector is effective in preventing hip fractures in a real-world nursing home environment.
• Compliance and acceptance are key factors influencing the overall viability of this hip fracture prophylaxis.
• Further strategies to improve adherence, particularly among residents with dementia, are needed.