Designing and Developing a Multipurpose Mobility Aid A Multiphasic Exploratory Study

Title: Designing and developing a multipurpose mobility aid: A multiphasic exploratory study.

Investigator: Mehul Dabhi; PT, Dr. Namrata Sojitra; MPT, PhD Scholar, School of Physiotherapy, RK University.

Background: WHO projects global elderly population (60+) to double by 2050, reaching 2.1 billion. India’s elderly population expected to rise from 104 million in 2011 to 340 million by 2050 (MoSPI, 2016). Which leads to increase in prevalence of mobility-limiting conditions like osteoarthritis, stroke, and fractures. Also Surge in total knee (TKR) and hip replacements (THR) to manage these conditions effectively. TKR surgeries increased from 1,019 in 2006 to 27,000 in 2019, predominantly for osteoarthritis. Approximately 4,700 hip implant surgeries conducted with DePuy’s ASR system by May 2019. 2.3% of India’s population require mobility aids due to disabilities. Walkers, canes are crucial in physiotherapy for orthopaedic and neurological conditions, enhancing mobility and independence. The current landscape of mobility aids presents significant challenges for patients with mobility impairments, who often need multiple devices, leading to increased costs and complexity. This issue is particularly critical in India, where the elderly population is growing and facing higher incidences of conditions like osteoarthritis and lower limb fractures. Traditional mobility aids often fail to provide the necessary convenience and flexibility, which can result in reduced patient satisfaction and slower rehabilitation progress. Therefore, there is an urgent need for cost-effective, multipurpose mobility aid that can enhance usability, reduce expenses, and improve rehabilitation outcomes, ultimately improving the quality of life for elderly patients and those recovering from lower limb impairments.

Method: Following ethical approval, 60 subjects will be selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group 1 will receive walking training with traditional walker and Group 2 will receive walking training with multipurpose mobility aid. The outcome measures will be assessed after the intervention.

This study is divided into 3 phase:

Phase 1- Designing multipurpose mobility aid.

Phase 2- Development of multipurpose mobility aid.

Phase 3- Testing effectiveness of multipurpose mobility aid.