Wearable Airbag Technology for High Fall Risk

Overseen ByOlivia Botonis, BS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Must not be taking: Anti-coagulants

Disqualifiers: Severe osteoporosis, Cognitive deficits, others

No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that individuals currently on anti-coagulants (blood thinners) cannot participate, so you would need to stop taking them to join the study.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Wearable Airbag Technology for high fall risk?

Research shows that wearable airbag systems can reduce the impact of falls by inflating to protect the user, as demonstrated in tests where dummies with airbags experienced less impact. Additionally, a study in a long-term care facility found that using a smartbelt with automatic airbag deployment reduced the rate of major injuries from falls among high-risk residents.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵

Is wearable airbag technology safe for humans?

Wearable airbag technology has been tested for safety, showing it can reduce impact during falls, but it may not protect all body parts. Some airbag systems have caused injuries during deployment, like burns, so while they can prevent serious injuries, there are risks involved.¹ ³ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸

How does the wearable airbag technology treatment differ from other treatments for high fall risk?

The wearable airbag technology is unique because it uses sensors to detect falls and inflates an airbag to protect the user before impact, unlike other treatments that may not provide immediate physical protection during a fall.¹ ³ ⁹ ¹⁰ ¹¹

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a smart airbag system that detects and mitigates fall-related impact in individuals with high fall risk.

Research Team

Arun Jayaraman, PT, PhD

Principal Investigator

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 18-85 with high fall risk due to conditions like Parkinson's disease, stroke, or being an elderly person prone to falls. Participants must be able to walk with assistance and follow instructions. They should not have severe osteoporosis, cognitive deficits (MMSE score <17), significant visual impairments, serious cardiac issues, or any condition that would interfere with the study.

Inclusion Criteria

English speaking

Willing to carry and use a smartphone and Airbag device

I am either mostly staying at home or able to walk around in the community.

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Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with severe osteoporosis.

I am physically inactive and unfit.

Non-healing ulcers of a lower extremity, Renal dialysis or end-stage liver disease, Legal blindness or severe visual impairment, a history of significant psychiatric illness

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Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Optimization

Evaluation and optimization of pre-fall detection algorithms and usability of the smart airbag system

3 months

Efficacy Evaluation

Assessment of the smart airbag system's efficacy in mitigating real-world falls and its effect on community mobility

9 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the main evaluation

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

Wearable Airbag Technology

Trial Overview The study tests a wearable airbag system designed to detect and soften the impact of falls in high-risk individuals. Participants will wear this smart technology and use a smartphone alongside it as part of their daily routine to assess its effectiveness in real-life scenarios.