Millions ofAmericans have some form of arthritis. The cumulative effects of aging can further negatively affect clothing dressing ease and the self-image of arthritics and elderly individuals. This research addressed clothing problems and solutions of nearly 800 Arizona residents with either rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. The majority (78%) who responded to the mailed survey were over age 50, and 77% were women. The subjects identified joint involvement that includedfingers, hands, knees, shoulders, and wrists and related effects of lack of mobility, dexterity, and lack of strength in hands and fingers. These physical effects of arthritis were manifested in clothing problems such as lack of comfort and unsuitable designs. Proper fit of clothing was a significant problem for females. Hands and wrist problems were significantly related to difficulty in manipulating fasteners. Difficult clothing design features included turtlenecks, long and set-in sleeves, and back closures for women and pullover sweaters, t-shirts, and ties for men. Suggestions for improving clothing design and dressing ease for arthritics included front openings, more give in waistlines, ease in shoulder area, larger openings for pants and skirts, larger armholes, and dressing straps.Arthritis, in its many forms, affects more people and is more disabling than all other musculoskeletal diseases combined (Grazier, Holbrook, Kelsey, & Stauffer, 1984). It also affects people of all ages, including children. Daily activities are complicated by a physical handicap such as arthritis, and the challenge of those activities is magnified because of the disease. Personal activities relating to the selection and care of clothing items and the task of dressing and undressing are more complicated for the arthritic.

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The objectives of this pilot study were to (a) develop and test an instrument and methodology to assess subjectively cleanroom garment comfortand (b) evaluate comfort and particle containment of a traditionalfabric hood and complete coverage hood with remote breathing device. A female subject wearing coveralls, boots, gloves, and either a fabric or complete coverage hood assembly used a subjective comfort instrument to identify garment wearing sensations, thermal comfort, and perceived physical state. The subject was able to distinguish between the level of thermal comfort of the two hoods with the complete coverage hood being more comfortable than the fabric hood. She identified heaviness as a sensation that differed between the two hoods; the complete coverage hood was felt to be heavier than the fabric hood. The subject was less likely to feel energetic, interested, and attentive while wearing the complete coverage hood Early evidence indicates that a human perception approach can provide useful information on cleanroom garment comfort. Recommendations are made for refinement of the comfort assessment methodology. The complete coverage hood was more effective than the traditional fabric hood in containing particle contamination from face and head.