Preventing winter falls: a randomised controlled trial of a novel intervention.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the hypothesis that wearing socks over shoes improves traction on icy footpaths.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial involving 30 pedestrians (median age 21 years, range 18-70) travelling in a downhill direction on icy public footpaths at two sites in Dunedin, New Zealand.


METHODS
different coloured socks applied over normal footwear or usual practice (unadulterated footwear).


METHODS
difference in mean self-reported slipperiness on a 5-point scale.


RESULTS
falls, observer-rated slipperiness, observer-rated confidence, time to descend study slope.


RESULTS
Two-thirds of participants (65%) had previously fallen on ice. Wearing socks over normal footwear was associated with a statistically significant improvement in traction; the difference in mean self-reported slipperiness scores between the control (n=15) and intervention (n=14) groups was 1.3 (95%CI: 0.4-2.3). Agreement between self-rated and observer-rated slipperiness was high (r=0.70). A higher proportion of the intervention group (71% vs 53%) appeared confident. One member of the control group fell. There was no evidence of risk compensation in the intervention group (difference in mean descent times 1.9 seconds, 95%CI: -6.1-10.0). The only adverse events were short periods of indignity for some members of the intervention group.


CONCLUSIONS
Wearing socks over shoes appears to be an effective and inexpensive method to reduce the likelihood of slipping on icy footpaths.
Parkin
Lianne
L
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand. lianne.parkin@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Williams
Sheila M
SM
Priest
Patricia
P
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003020:Clothing; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007053:Ice; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012621:Seasons; D013499:Surface Properties; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D007053:Ice