Activities of daily living in non-Western cultures: range of motion requirements for hip and knee joint implants.

The purpose of this review of the literature was to investigate the functional range of motion requirements of non-Western populations in respect to artificial hip and knee joint implants. It was discovered that in Asia and the Middle East many activities are performed while squatting, kneeling, or sitting cross-legged. These positions demand a greater range of motion than that typically required in Western populations. For example, authors report that to squat one requires 130 degrees-full hip flexion and 111 degrees-165 degrees (or full) knee flexion. To sit cross-legged one requires 90 degrees-100 degrees hip flexion and 111 degrees-165 degrees (or full) knee flexion. This study identified a lack of documented research in this area, and the research that has been done provided inconsistent data. Potential reasons for discrepancies in the data are discussed, including the use of different methods to collect range of motion measurements, unclear use of terminology, and variations in normal passive and active range. In conclusion, this study stresses the importance of culture and function in the design and use of any new joint or product.

Evaluating a new mobility device: feedback from women with disabilities in India.

PURPOSE: To gather the opinions of potential wheeled mobility device users at an early stage in the design process to ensure the development of technology which would meet their functional needs. METHOD: Eight women with bilateral lower extremity disabilities living in Gujarat state, India, participated in this study. The women were introduced to a working model of a new wheeled ground mobility device (GADI2) for a brief trial and participated in a feedback interview which solicited information on different aspects of the design, specifically the interface between the device and the user, the physical environment and the sociocultural environment. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed. RESULT: Although the overall response to the device was positive, there was a lack of consensus in some of the feedback gathered. There were varying opinions across the participants and recommendations were often in opposition to what would typically be recommended in a traditional rehabilitation setting. CONCLUSIONS: This study investigates and discusses the research findings from a rehabilitation perspective with a focus on the functional versus technical design aspects. The importance of involving potential consumers in the design of technology is highlighted. The small sample size and lack of consensus in some of the results indicates the need for further research and field testing of this new mobility device design.

Designing appropriate rehabilitation technology: a mobility device for women with ambulatory disabilities in India.

Mobility is an essential requirement for personal independence and social participation. For persons with an ambulatory disability, a lack of mobility creates barriers to the realization of these goals. In developed countries, significant research and development has resulted in the technological advancement of assistive devices. Unfortunately, transfer of these technologies to developing countries has proven difficult. Consequently, effort has been directed at designing appropriate technology in these countries--most often in the form of wheelchairs and hand-driven tricycles. For activities within and around the home, however, especially in cultures where many activities are traditionally performed on the floor, wheelchairs and tricycles are often inappropriate solutions. In response to this, a novel mobility device has been designed for use by women with ambulatory disabilities living in rural and low-income areas of India. The device is intended to assist the user in performing activities of daily living which occur within and near the home, and at ground level. To this end, the device conceptually differs from traditional wheelchair designs in that it physically keeps the rider near to the floor. This paper describes the new device as well as the cross-cultural and cross-professional collaborative methodology used in its design.

The mobility needs of women with physical disabilities in India: a functional perspective.

The purpose of this research was to explore the functional mobility needs of women with lower extremity disabilities in Gujarat state, India. Ten women participated in a Mobility Needs Assessment which used multiple data collection methods to gather quantitative and qualitative information in five main areas. The results indicated that the physical environment was diverse, at times unpredictable, and environmental barriers were commonly encountered. The women travelled relatively long distances to perform self-care activities such as bathing and toileting. Furthermore, the women had compensated for their disability by implementing different strategies, such as four methods of locomotion, ten sitting positions, and various methods for carrying objects. Activities of daily living were similar amongst the women, although some women required assistance to complete specific activities successfully. Although the women expressed different views on how they felt about their present level of mobility, all were able to identify activities they wished to perform if they could move more easily. The resulting information contributed towards an area where little has been documented previously.