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Panty Design Alternatives for Women and Girls with Physical Disabilities
Author(s) -
Dallas Merry Jo,
Wilson Patricia A.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
home economics research journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.372
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1552-3934
pISSN - 0046-7774
DOI - 10.1177/1077727x8100900408
Subject(s) - toileting , urinary incontinence , psychology , test (biology) , physical therapy , applied psychology , developmental psychology , medicine , activities of daily living , paleontology , urology , biology
The principal objective of this study was to develop comfortable, functional, and aestheti cally satisfying panties for physically handicapped women and girls with adaptations for spe cial needs, such as those associated with self‐help and urinary incontinence. Detailed com ments about problems handicapped women and girls experienced with panties were solicited from 28 women and girls, aged 8–82, who require leg or body braces, crutches, and/or wheel chairs for mobility. Sixteen of these women elected to complete a second questionnaire which dealt with preferences in fiber content, fabric, elastic types, and styles of panties which might meet their needs. Of these women, 6 were chosen to wear the test designs and react to their ef fectiveness in solving individual problems. Designs and adaptations were developed with features which improved the fit and comfort, simplified dressing and undressing especially during toileting, and provided for the manage ment of urinary incontinence. Although function and comfort were of concern to handi capped women and girls, a fashionable appearance, cost, and the ease with which an adapted panty can be acquired were equally important. Solutions to perceived problems with panties required an individualized approach.