A study of safety and acceptability of a novel front-wheeled indoor walking frame in older adults in the clinical setting

Fox, R.; Dawes, H.; Thies, S.

Abstract

Purpose: Falls cost the NHS over £2 billion a year and are a major cause of loss of independence, confidence, and death, with incidence increasing rapidly with age. While walking frames provide structural support during walking, with the aim to reduce falls and maintain mobility; design shortfalls of traditional frames such as the fixed wheels necessitating lifting when turning contribute to instability and paradoxically increased risk of falling. A new prototype frame which promotes stability and safe movement patterns has shown promise in proof of concept studies with input from clinicians and frame users.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 17, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Mar 27, 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 15, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 28, 2026
• Journal: Physiotherapy
• Print ISSN: 0031-9406
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-1465
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 126
• Pages: 101564
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2025.101564