FASTENER SYSTEMS ON APPAREL FOR HEMIPLEGIC STROKE VICTIMS

Many stroke victims suffer hemiplegia, The type and location of appare l fasteners (e.g. buttons) are important to facilitate dressing for pe rsons with hemiplegia. This study evaluated a series of garments with different fastener types and locations using hemiplegic subjects. The experimental design was a 3x3+1 factorial complete randomized block de sign with a control. Fastener type and location were independent varia bles. Dependent variables were: (1) time required to open and close th e fasteners, (2) number of fasteners opened and closed, (3) and subjec tive responses to a questionnaire. The subjects for this study were te n stroke victims with hemiplegia. Results indicated significant differ ences for fastener type and location. These results should aid apparel manufacturers to provide more functional apparel for persons with hem iplegia due to stroke, as well as those responsible for selecting and/ or helping to dress persons with hemiplegia due to stroke. (C) 1997 El sevier Science Ltd.