An Innovative Concept for a Walker with a Self-Locking Mechanism Using a Single Mechanical Approach

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Engineering
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Aging leads to physiological decline, impacting daily activities like walking and overall quality of life for older adults.
• Technical aids are crucial for promoting safe and active aging, requiring adaptation to individual needs.
• Gait, strength, and balance changes in older adults necessitate effective mobility solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the advantages and disadvantages of two-wheeled walkers with novel self-locking systems.
• To compare a classic fixed walker with two distinct two-wheeled walker designs (Approach 1 and Approach 2).
• To evaluate the impact of different walker configurations on older adults' mobility and safety.

Main Methods:

• Two quasi-experimental studies with pre-post test designs were conducted.
• Evaluated walkers included a classic fixed walker, a two-wheeled walker with a gear-and-spring self-locking mechanism (Approach 1), and a two-wheeled walker with a single-spring self-locking mechanism (Approach 2).
• Key metrics included duration, gait speed, Expanded Timed Get Up and Go (ETGUG), and Physiological Cost Index (PCI).

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in duration, gait speed, or ETGUG between walker types.
• A marginally significant difference in Physiological Cost Index (PCI) indicated higher energetic cost with Approach 1 compared to Approach 2.
• Users reported feelings of insecurity and increased weight, though safety was found to be equivalent across all walkers.

Conclusions:

• Two-wheeled walkers with self-locking mechanisms, particularly Approach 2, exhibited higher PCI, suggesting increased energetic cost.
• Approach 2 did not demonstrate superior usability or notable braking system advantages over other models.
• While safety was consistent, further research is recommended to enhance the braking system of two-wheeled walkers like Approach 2.