Non-slip Socks are designed with a nonslip grip on the bottom of the socks

Non-slip Socks are designed with a nonslip grip on the bottom of the socks which helps prevent slipping on smooth surfaces like tile, polished floorboards, and vinyl. Nonslip socks are ideal for use in hospitals, yoga studios, and homes with slippery floors where falls can be dangerous. Nonslip grip socks are available in a range of styles, colors, and sizes to suit both adults and children.

Nonslip socks are a simple, cost-effective solution to reduce the number of falls among hospital patients and seniors living independently. Falls are a significant health risk for patients and seniors with limited mobility who may not be aware of hazards or their environment. By providing a secure grip, nonslip socks enable a greater degree of stability and confidence when moving around unfamiliar environments.

Slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of injury for people aged 65 and over. This is largely due to reduced balance and coordination, impaired vision, and diminished reaction time to environmental hazards. Hospital patients often spend extended periods in unfamiliar environments requiring the use of stairs and a variety of flooring types. These factors can increase the risk of a fall, especially for patients with limited mobility or cognitive impairment.

A two-phase research study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of nonslip socks in reducing the incidence of falls in hospital patients. Ethics approval was sought and granted by the Princess Alexandra Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee. In phase one, the performance of two commercially available non-slip socks and a brand of compression stocking was evaluated using the Wet Pendulum Test. The results indicated that the nonslip socks displayed significantly greater slip resistance than the compression stockings. However, it was also observed that the performance of the compression stockings varied between different participants and across foot conditions. The variations were attributed to differences in the foot anatomy, biomechanics, and skin characteristics of the participants.

In phase two, a further three pairs of commercially available non-slip socks and varying numbers of pairs of compression stockings were tested for slip resistance on hospital-grade vinyl using the Wet Pendulum Test. Generally, the nonslip socks showed improved slip resistance when worn over the compression stockings, with the lowest slip angles being obtained for participants wearing the small-sized socks in each group. The performance of the compression stockings varied between participants and was affected by the size of the sock, the participant’s weight, and the pliant characteristics of their soft tissue. It was therefore suggested that this variation in performance was due to the varying effects of each of these variables and should be further investigated. Barefoot conditions produced the highest slip angles for all participants.