Design and development of a soft pediatric support garment for ankle-foot orthoses wearers
| Author(s) | Civil, Danielle A. | |
| Date Accessioned | 2020-01-31T13:45:05Z | |
| Date Available | 2020-01-31T13:45:05Z | |
| Publication Date | 2019 | |
| SWORD Update | 2019-08-07T16:03:46Z | |
| Abstract | Children who utilize ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) benefit from the support they provide to help stabilize the position and control the motion of the ankle and foot, assist weakness, or correct deformities (AliMed, 2014). Although they are a useful support wearable, a high percentage of non-use is reported for individuals with AFOs; this is due to a variety of reasons, including the design, functionality, comfort, and lack of ability to wear one’s preferred shoes in combination with AFOs. This research aimed to develop a soft ankle support garment through user-centered research as an alternative to an AFO for the purpose of dressing up or participating in activities, like dance or formal events, which would be difficult while wearing a hard, bulky AFO. The first phase of this study involved performing a content analysis on perceptions of AFO use from published research, online forums, and interviews with our participants to identify frequently mentioned aspects of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. We then designed and tested prototypes, with 3 participants, to address commonly mentioned aspects of dissatisfaction with existing AFOs. Data derived from interviews, iterative prototyping with participants, usability testing, and functional testing to compare our designs with traditional AFOs. By utilizing various testing metrics, we were able to validate that a soft ankle support garment would be a beneficial and desirable alternative for children who wear AFOs that would allow users flexibility in their footwear options. Based on this research, we outline the importance of user-centered design, a desire for a soft alternative to AFOs, and how brace design affects one’s desires to express themselves through footwear. | en_US |
| Advisor | Lobo, Michele S. | |
| Degree | M.S. | |
| Department | University of Delaware, Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies | |
| Unique Identifier | 1138215298 | |
| URL | http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/24976 | |
| Language | en | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | en_US |
| URI | https://search.proquest.com/docview/2287050608?accountid=10457 | |
| Title | Design and development of a soft pediatric support garment for ankle-foot orthoses wearers | en_US |
| Type | Thesis | en_US |