Dressing Autonomy for Frozen Shoulder Users: Inclusive Fashion Design Principles

Abstract

Donning and doffing procedures are among of the five basic activities of daily living that define the degree of autonomy and independence. In this paper, we produce an analysis of the movements performed in donning/doffing procedures and identify which are the main difficulties in patients with frozen shoulder. Therefore, we utilized five pieces of clothing for the upper body with different characteristics that we consider relevant for the evaluation of movement and to identify range of motion limitations: poncho, tank-top, blouse with long sleeves, batwing blouse and front-opening blouse. Then, we observed a group of women during donning/doffing procedures, connecting the performed movements to the characteristics of those garments. As main results, we verified that the poncho and the batwing blouse are more appropriate for users with a frozen shoulder. Among the possible conclusions, we infer that the inclusion of users before and during the design process, through the methodology of participatory design, provides greater interaction in the whole process and increases the chances of success of the product to the real needs of the targeted user. In association, the inclusion of a kinesiological study in the design of clothes increases efficiency donning/doffing procedures, ensuring greater autonomy to the user.