Effectiveness of Hornsby Healthy Hip pants on hip fracture prevention from falls in the elders living in institution

Abstract

Introduction: Hip fracture from falls is most commonly occurred in the elders. Hip protector is one of the approaches to prevent such a problem. However, its effectiveness remains controversial due to poor compliance rate. Therefore, this study investigated the effectiveness of Hornsby Healthy Hip hip protector which was designed to suit anthropometrics and climate condition in Asia.

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of the hip protector on hip fracture prevention and falls prevention, as well as compliance rate in the elders living in institution.

Materials and Methods: This research was conducted in the elders who had 60 years old and above, at least one falls within 12 months prior to study, no hip fracture, and able to walk without walking aid. Fourteen elders were randomly assigned into hip protector and control groups; seven elders in each group. Outcome measures were hip fracture rate, faller, falls rate, and compliance rate in use of hip protector. Follow-up time was 8 months.

Results: During eight months trial period, the falls rate in hip protector group tended to be lower than control groups (The mean of falls rate were 1.5 ± 2.12 and 5.78 ± 4.36 respectively). When compared between groups, it was not statistically significant between groups (P = 0.058). But the effect size was large (d = -1.248). The compliance rate was also very high (85.75%). However, there was no hip fracture from falls in either group.

Conclusions: Based on the large effect size, elders in hip protector group seem likely to have low falls rate. They also have very high compliance rate.   These could be implied that Hornsby Healthy Hip hip protector might be an alternative approach for falls prevention. However, the effectiveness of hip protector could not be concluded since the hip fracture rate was not found in either group.