Table 3.

Key recommendations of the international hip protector study group for future clinical trials of hip protectors

Further randomized trials should be conducted in nursing care facilities and possibly community settings for high risk groups

Participants in clinical trials of hip protectors should be at high risk (annual incidence >3%) of proximal femoral fracture—suggested indicators are history of bone fragility fracture, low weight, functional impairment, increased fall risk, and older age

Hip protectors used in clinical trials should have been assessed using agreed international testing methods

“Sham” hip protectors should be used with intra-individual randomization (i.e., on random basis the same person has an “active” protector on one hip and a “sham” protector on the other), and, in an ideal study design, a randomized comparison group without any protector should be used to clarify whether the use of hip protectors affects the general risk of hip fracture

A “run-in” period prior to the clinical trial should occur with adequate adherence to be demonstrated

Falls and, ideally, fall directionality should be monitored

Adherence should be monitored by research staff across day- and nighttime hours

Economic analyses should be included in future clinical trials of hip protectors