Feasibility of Bide in patients’ homes

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Implementation of technology to prevent night-time falls in the domiciliary setting: a feasibility study

• IRAS ID

  327018

• Contact name

  Pip Logan

• Contact email

  pip.logan@nottingham.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Nottingham

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 5 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  Many falls for the frailest elderly occur at night. Many falls prevention or detection technologies are complicated and require an interactive approach. Bide, a small, simple-to-use and inexpensive sensor-based device could bridge this gap. It sits on the bedside, plugs into a standard electrical outlet, and does not require internet or telephone connection. It has a light and movement sensor to detect if a person gets up from their bed or turns the bedside light on. A pre-recorded message from a trusted person then plays. When the sensor is triggered, it shines a light. A ‘traffic light’ system displays red when the message is playing to indicate to the person that they should stop and listen to the message. When the message has finished, the light shines green to indicate that they can go, then turns to white as a night-light to increase visibility.
  Early testing suggests significant night-time falls reduction, provides proof-of concept, acceptability, and indicates the requirement for definitive trials to understand optimal settings and populations. Therefore, this study aims to test the feasibility of recruiting participants from different community services and the acceptability of the study protocol to participants to inform the protocol for an efficacy study. Similarly, anecdotal concerns from clinicians highlight concern that it may not work in those living with cognitive deficits or hearing loss. Therefore, the study will also test the feasibility of using Bide with those living with cognitive impairment or hearing loss. Lastly, the study will gain feedback from people who have used the device and their families to add formal qualitative data to the anecdotal evidence gathered so far and inform which types of patients the device is most suited to. If proven to be feasible, a definitive trial is planned.

• REC name

  Wales REC 2

• REC reference

  23/WA/0203

• Date of REC Opinion

  16 Aug 2023

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion