This study will examine how older adults use walkers or rollators in both structured tasks and everyday life. The goal is to better understand walking aid use, non-use, user-device coordination, and mobility patterns both in controlled and free-living real-world contexts.
During a single in-person assessment lasting approximately 2.5 hours, participants will wear small motion sensors on their body and walking aid while completing common mobility tasks indoors and outdoors. Video recordings collected during these structured tasks will help interpret the motion sensor data.
Following the in-person assessment, participants will complete a 7-day daily-life monitoring period at home and in the community. During this period, participants will continue wearing the motion sensors during their usual daily activities and will complete a brief daily log to provide additional context for the sensor data.
Why should you participate?
While there may be no direct benefits to you from taking part in the study, the results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of walking aid use in older adults and may inform future rehabilitation planning and mobility support strategies.
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you:
- Are 65 years of age or older
- Live in the community, such as in your own home, with family, or in an independent retirement setting
- Use a walker or rollator as your main walking aid
You may not be eligible to participate in this study if you:
- Do not currently use or need a walking aid
- Are not able to walk short distances using your walking aid
- Have memory, thinking, or understanding difficulties that would make it hard for you to understand the study, give consent, or follow study instructions
- Are not able to communicate in English
Time commitment:
One in-person visit (up to 2.5 hours) and 7 days of daily-life monitoring
Compensation for participation:
You will be reimbursed for all study-related expenses related to attending the in-person study visit or returning study equipment, so long as receipts are provided. This includes costs for public transit, taxis, or parking. There is no additional honorarium for participation in this study.
This study will take place at:
ICORD/Blusson Spinal Cord Centre (818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver)
For more information or to sign up to participate, please contact study coordinator Fatemeh Khosorobeygi by email.
