RESUMEN
Studies investigating the effect of tread edge highlighters on descent speed differ, but collectively report the potential benefit of reduced fall risk. Here we examine the impact of adding high-contrast black vinyl striping to the front edge of each step's tread and its impact on descending gait speed (intervention), while controlling for illumination. Descending gait speed was estimated from 5,824 video observations using the stairway length and entry and exit times. A second stairway was unaltered (control) to compare to the intervention. Stair users were primarily 18-30 years old with a small percentage being middle-aged and older adults. Descending gait speed was significantly slower on the intervention stairway (Linear mixed effects model: standardised coefficient = -0.07, 95% CI = [-0.12, -0.02], p = .010) compared to the control and may be impacted by illuminance. We propose that the slowed gait speed could be due to changes in gait kinematics (e.g. foot clearance) and may reduce fall-risk. Practitioner summary: Tread-edge contrast enhancement could be a low-cost means to reduce fall-risk on stairways, but its impact on gait kinematics is not well understood. We found that contrast enhancement reduced descending gait speed, but descending gait speed's impact on fall risk reduction ultimately requires further investigation.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: This study sought to examine stairway safety by identifying associations between fall-related events on stairways, distractions, gait speed, drifting, as well as handrail use and proximity. METHOD: Video recordings captured 11,137 observations of stair users in two public stairways and recorded distractions (e.g., looking at a mobile device, talking on a mobile device, using earbuds or headphones, holding a mobile device, or talking with a peer), gait speed (m/s), drifting (change of direction), as well as handrail use and proximity to a handrail. RESULTS: In our sample, consisting of primarily young adults (observed 18-40â¯years old), we found that when a distraction was present, gait speed was reduced (pâ¯<.001), drifting increased (pâ¯<.001), and handrail use negatively impacted (pâ¯<.001) compared to stair users who were not distracted. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that distractions, such as mobile devices, used during stair negotiation can reduce handrail use and increase behaviors associated with fall-related events. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Mobile device use during stairway negotiation increases the likelihood of distraction-induced events. Stair users should be encouraged to limit or avoid mobile device use in public stairway environments. Mobile manufacturers and mobile app developers could aim to develop strategies or mobile app alerts to reduce the impact of distractions (e.g., mobile device use) during stair negotiation to lessen the health and financial burden associated with fall-related events on stairways.