E-textile smart sock can alert older people to the risk of falls

Researchers created a prototype over-sock which detects near-falls - which include slips, trips or stumbles - with over 94 per cent accuracy, which can inform carers and professionals so that action can be taken to prevent an actual fall.

Near-falls are an independent predictor of substantial falls and research shows that they may help clinicians assess the fall risk in older adults.

“Falls can be devastating to the quality of life of older people,” said Dr Theodore Hughes-Riley, of the Advanced Textiles Research Group (ATRG) at Nottingham School of Art & Design, who is an associate professor in electronic textiles. “And with a rise in the ageing population, falls will only continue to have a significant impact on older people, causing loss of confidence and increased frailty.”

The over-sock features a motion sensor embedded at the ankle and can be connected to an internet enabled device via a detachable microcontroller using Bluetooth. The electronic circuitry cannot be felt by the wearer, and the motion sensor is encapsulated in a resin so it is washable. The team’s findings have been published in Electronic Textile Materials.