Exploring mass customization and textile application in medical products: re-designing scoliosis brace for shorter production lead time and better quality of life

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (19-20) ◽  
pp. 2304-2321
Author(s):  
Olivia Ho-Yi Fung ◽  
Joanne Yip ◽  
Mei-Chun Cheung ◽  
Kit-Lun Yick ◽  
Kenny Yat-Hong Kwan ◽  
...  

Bracing is the most common non-operative treatment option for patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, existing brace designs have deficiencies, including a long production lead time and low patient compliance caused by the negative impacts of bracing on quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to address these problems by developing a new textile-based scoliosis brace in accordance with the biomechanics used in the existing braces for spinal correction. A case study of interface pressure had been carried out to determine the optimum combination of pads to be used in the proposed brace to correct a scoliotic spine. AIS patients who were undergoing hard brace treatment were recruited to complete a questionnaire (BrQ) on hard braces and on the proposed brace. The BrQ scores of the two types of braces were compared to assess their respective impacts on the QoL. The findings show that the proposed brace can address the issue of patient compliance by reducing the impact of bracing on QoL, and shorten the production lead time through incorporation of the mass customization concept into the design. Similar to most of the commonly-used scoliosis braces, the selected combination of pads used in the proposed brace for spinal correction shows a sufficient amount of exerted pressure and a similar function of active spinal correction.

Author(s):  
Raluca-Mariana Popa

The objective of the following research is the investigation of the impact that management of dysphagia has upon quality of life in persons with neurological pathology of vascular cerebreal attack type. The group of participants in this study has 6 members with ages between 34 and 69, all suffering from a neurological pathology of VCA type or cranio-cerebreal trauma with direct implications on the swallowing process. This paper used case study methode as experimental design, the goal being to detect the impact that speach therapy has on the dysphagia, in the context of safety and quality of life. A series of instruments regarding clinical evaluation of dysphagia and quality of life in the context of VCA and dysphagia where been translated and adapted in the fallowing research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
JORGE ROJAS HERNÁNDEZ

Abstract For globalized local worlds undergoing transformation, territorial interventions are increasingly producing larger social and environmental impacts. Macro-interventions profoundly alter the functioning of ecosystems and human habitats or communities, becoming inclusive in extreme situations of exploitation or extraction, risking their very existence. Therefore it is necessary to develop a system or Social Baseline that clearly establishes the philosophical bases, restrictions and criteria that regulate and curb the negative impacts of such interventions. This implies defining methods for citizen participation. This article focuses on defining a basic framework with criteria and indicators that regulate the impact of macro-interventions - of different natures - on human territories and communities.


2019 ◽  
Vol IV (III) ◽  
pp. 132-139
Author(s):  
Haidar Farooq ◽  
Sabahat Subhan ◽  
Yasir Riaz

This research study examines the impact of remittances on quality of life. In order to accomplish the objectives, the study uses primary data which are collected from 403 households of District Dir Lower, Pakistan. Results summarized that incoming foreign remittances have a positive effect on education. Foreign remittances improve the household income level, this income is further utilized for different educational expenses. Therefore, remittance recipient families spend more than that of non-receiving families on education. In addition, remittances also increase the probability of children’s enrollment in schools. On the other hand, remittances are positively associated with family health status. The results revealed that 83% of the remittance recipient families have the ability to access basic healthcare needs, whereas 64% of non-receiving households have no access to basic health facilities. Additionally, remittances receiving families mostly prefer a private doctor and private hospitals, whereas non-receiving household usually uses government hospital facilities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (F) ◽  
pp. 129-136
Author(s):  
Ni Made Sri Nopiyani ◽  
I Md Ady Wirawan

BACKGROUND: Tourism development can have a positive or negative impact on the lives of local communities. AIM: This systematic review aims to determine the impact of tourism on the quality of life (QoL) of people in tourist destination areas. METHODS: The search was conducted on the Science Direct database, Taylor Francis, EBSCO Host, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar. The keywords used were “residents’ QoL” AND impacts of tourism. Inclusion criteria were articles that focus on the QoL of people in tourist destination areas, published from 2015 to 2019 in peer-reviewed journals, in English. Articles were excluded if they were qualitative studies, literature reviews, and if full papers were unavailable. The review was conducted on 18 articles selected from 673 articles obtained in the initial search. RESULTS: Tourism has an impact on the QoL of local communities. In general, the domains that are perceived as being positively affected are the improvement of the economy, employment opportunities, community pride, cultural exchanges, and increased facilities availability. Meanwhile, the domains that are negatively affected in most of the studies are health, safety, quality of the physical environment, cost of living, accessibility to public facilities, and social relations. Apart from that, there is also dissatisfaction with the types of jobs available and the low level of community involvement in tourism development. CONCLUSIONS: Tourism can have both positive and negative impacts on the QoL of local communities. Efforts to minimize the negative impacts of tourism should be undertaken to improve community support for tourism development.


Author(s):  
Mathilda van Niekerk

Art festivals have witnessed a boom in the past few years; with new festivals proliferating that cater to every taste and region, in what has become a vital source of revenue and publicity for cities and artists (Eventbrite, 2014; Relaxnews, 2015). The ideal arts festival represents a carefully crafted mixture of artists, a variety in its programming, being visually spectacular, and also meeting its social objectives (The Guardian, 2015). Art festivals in general are important for many reasons, some of which are to grow the regional and local economies, to promote the specific destination, to contribute to the livelihood of the artists and the local community, displaying different forms of art and to create specific images of the destinations. An art festival should therefore not only exist or take place; it should make some form of contribution to its stakeholders (Getz and Andersson 2010). When art festivals are, therefore, hosted in a specific area the lives of the local community become affected by it either in a positive or in a negative way. Art festivals have various impacts (socio-cultural, environmental, political and economic) on stakeholders, and on one of the most important stakeholders, that is, the local community. For years festival impact studies have mainly focused on the economic, environmental and socio-cultural impact of festivals on the local community, but a limited number of researchers have conducted studies to measure the impact of art festivals on the overall quality of life of the community members and the community as a whole. In order to do this, it is important to look at which socio-demographic variables influence the quality of life of the community and its members.


Author(s):  
Melinda Hermanns ◽  
Barbara Haas

Approximately three million persons in the United States face the challenge of living with Parkinson's Disease (PD). In spite of medical and surgical interventions, the disease progresses, resulting in bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability that impair functional ability and quality of life. The purpose of this case study is to illuminate the impact an exercise program may have on an individual with PD. A single case study design was used to explore the effect of exercise on the quality of life of a 73-year old gentleman with advanced PD. Interviews and field observations of the client, wife, and staff at a community based exercise facility were conducted. Analyses were based on coding of verbatim transcripts and field notes. Three themes emerged from the study: hope, inspiration, and determination. This case study is an exemplar of the impact exercise conducted in a supportive environment may have on improving the functional ability and quality of life for persons with PD.


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