Older adults’ perceptions of wearable technology hip protectors: implications for further research and development strategies

Abstract

Purpose: Hip fractures are an important public health issue. Ninety-five percent of hip fractures are caused by falls, with those at greatest risk including residents of long-term care facilities. Hip protectors can be effective in preventing hip fractures, but levels of acceptance and adherence may be low. We report on work to develop research into a new hip protector that aims to overcome some of the acceptance and adherence challenges. Methods: We held five patient and public consultation events involving 147 older adults and 10 long-term care sector staff in the Midlands and North West of England. At each event, participants were shown the Fall-Safe Assist hip protector, which includes built-in mobile technology to record information about falls and summon help from caregivers. Results: Participants were positive about the product’s potential utility and impact upon confidence in moving around. However, many participants held highly personal perceptions of their vulnerability and need, and expressed concerns about the esthetics and practicality of the accompanying underwear. Participants highlighted potential challenges from poor mobile connectivity, and expressed concerns about product cost. Conclusions: Future research will need to ensure flexible and sensitive approaches to recruitment. Further refinement to the product design may be useful. Individual interviews and questionnaires would help capture participants’ perceptions on personal topics, and measures of changes in confidence. Research sites will need to be compatible with technological functionality. It will be necessary to have a robust protocol in place for withdrawal of the product at the end of any clinical research.Implications for Rehabilitation Hip protectors can be effective in preventing hip fractures, but levels of acceptance and adherence may be low and may contribute to low-quality research. A new type of hip protector has been designed to overcome some of the acceptance and adherence challenges. Older adults suggested that the product was potentially useful, but expressed highly personal concerns about perceived need; aesthetics; practical and technological challenges; and cost, all of which may affect future research design. Research designs will need to be flexible enough to consider sensitive approaches to recruitment, multiple methods of data collection, site compatibility with technological functionality, and product withdrawal at end of study.