Elders not told of risks in hip study

Wow, this is an interesting article in the Boston Globe. I don't understand what the purpose of the research was and who funded it. Are the companies that make the underwear looking for a cheaper way to make them with padding on only one side? Who gave permission to be in the study-family members or the nursing homes. Did the nursing homes get financial reimbursement for involvement in the study or free underwear? Basically, I am asking why did the family or staff agree to this study in the first place? Is the study supposed to be comparing use of underwear with padding on one side vs. padding on both sides or are they comparing use of underwear with padding on one side vs. no padding at all? Why would the nursing home staff want to be involved in this in the first place if previous research indicated that underwear with padding on both sides was effective! I think that the authors of this article are just as confused as myself since they seemed to have difficulty getting information from the researchers. but since our tax monies pay for nursing home care we all deserve an explanation from a financial as well as humanitarian vantage....

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/07/01/elders_not_told_of_risks_in_hip_study_us_alleges/