Clinical studies about rollators

CLINICAL STUDIES

The rollator is the single most common and important aid for seniors. Studies world-wide have proven that the daily use of a rollator has many benefits for elderly people or people with disabilities. Studies have also shown how economically “viable” a rollator is by not only reducing the need for help at home, but also the cost for treatment of injuries such as hip fractures due to falls.

RESEARCH: FALL INCIDENTS UNRAVELED: A SERIES OF 26 VIDEO-BASED REAL-LIFE FALL EVENTS IN THREE FRAIL OLDER PERSONS

– Ellen Vlaeyen, Mieke Deschodt, Glen Debard, Eddy Dejaeger, Steven Boonen, Toon Goedemé, Bart Vanrumste and Koen Milisen, 2013.

A total of 30 falls occurred of which 26 were recorded on camera over 17 months. Most falls happened in the morning or evening (62%), when no other persons were present (88%). Participants mainly fell backward (initial fall direction and landing configuration) on the pelvis or torso and none could get up unaided. Read more.

STUDY: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 4-WHEELED WALKER FOR ELDERLY WOMEN LIVING IN THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENT

– Laila Jonsson (The Centre for Providing Technical Aids for Elderly and Disabled People)

All of the study group women used their walker for outdoor activities. Half of the women – indoors. The women considered that considerable additional help and support would have been required if they had not had the use of their walker.

The cost projection for such additional support during one year was calculated and compared with the cost of use of a prescribed walker for one year. The cost of one year’s use of the walker was calculated to be SKr 840 per user. If the walker had not been supplied, the public health cost for the anticipated additional home support for the 3 years was calculated at SKr 8 770 kronor/year per woman. Read more

ARTICLE: SENIOR’S FALL PREVENTION

–BD Injury, research and prevention unit.

Each year more than 200,000 BC seniors will experience one or more falls,
resulting in more than 10,000 hospitalizations and more than 800 direct and indirect deaths. Falls among older people often result in disability, chronic pain, loss of independence, reduced quality of life and even death. Falls were the primary or secondary contributing cause for 12,006 hospital cases among seniors in 2009/2010. When an older person falls, it can have an enduring and devastating impact, resulting in injury, loss of mobility, a reduced quality of life and, in severe cases, death. Read more

ARTICLE: BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF ROLLATOR WALKING

– Tine Alkjær,corresponding author Peter K Larsen, Gitte Pedersen, Linda H Nielsen and Erik B Simonsen.

The main purpose of using a rollator is to improve the walking performance and minimize the risk of falling. Studies have shown that the walking performance in elderly subjects measured in terms of distance, cadence and velocity is improved when they walk with a rollator. Furthermore, a recent study has shown that rollator users are generally satisfied with their rollator and consider it an important prerequisite for living a socially active and independent life. Read more