Can the type of walking stick issued effect mobility, confidence or fear of falling?

A previous qualitative pilot study found that using a moulded handle stick (Fischer stick) compared to conventional sticks could improve mobility through increased confidence and reduced fear of falling in the elderly patient. However, this was not statistically significant to refer to the general population. The aim of this study was to provide the missing statistical data concerning increased confidence and reduced fear of falling when issuing sticks to elderly patients with ‘non arthritic hands’. An inferential study of experimental design by randomized control trial, allocating participants (n=47 aged 60–90 years mean 80 years) into one of two groups – moulded stick or conventional stick. An objective measure ‘Timed Up and Go’ (TUG) detected changes in mobility, with the Likert Scale detecting the changes in confidence and fear of falling over a 6-week evaluation period. The moulded stick group showed a significant increase in mobility, confidence and a marginally reduced fear of falling (P<0.001), compared to the conventional stick group that showed little or no change in all tests. This study infers statistical significance to the findings of the pilot study validating that there are substantial benefits in using a moulded handle stick over a conventional stick for the general elderly