Development of Adaptive Sitting Cum Standing Positional Device - User's Centric Approach

Abstract

Background As per India Census 2011 Cerebral palsy affects 3.8 of Indians or roughly 15-20 of physically challenged children. An estimated 31000 live births are affected in India. The most prevalent motor impairment in children is cerebral palsy. The adaptive devices need to accommodate different factors in terms of individual health condition body structure body function capacity gender age ethnicity and preference. In addition physical changes that occur in children as they grow and develop need to be accommodated. UNICEF stated that the frequency of changes to be made in an assistive product depends on how fast the child develops and grows which will vary over time as well as between children. This adds to the economic burden especially in families below the poverty line.Aim To build a device for dual usage seating cum standing for children with delayed milestones with versatile features to accommodate as they grow.Methods Anthropometric measurements of children with delayed milestones aged between 3-12 years were collected and assimilated in building the innovative twin device and its features. User satisfaction feedback was collected about the innovative twin device using Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology QUEST using a prospective qualitative study design. Simple random sampling methods were used to recruit 255 parents of children with delayed milestones from 2016 to 2019 across India and Bangladesh. They were prospectively observed and the perceived effectiveness usability and service delivery system of twin device was collected from parents mostly through telephonic and in-person interviews after three months. Results Around 121 usersparents gave their QUEST feedback. The mean satisfaction on the twin device was recorded as 4.16 Quite satisfied and the service delivery was rated 4.81 Very satisfied. Overall QUEST score was recorded as 4.48 Quite satisfied. The three most satisfying features of the device reported were safe and secure 61.16 easy to use 57.02 and comfortable 56.2.Conclusion Twin device and delivery services quality was measured through user satisfaction in terms of strength durability capacity safety and comfort. Provision of assistive technology includes the design production user satisfaction and quality of life.