Fifteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices

Abstract

This study develops a design of a new aqua therapy product that provides an easier treatment process. The product is built to be accessible in houses which minimizes the travel, time, effort, and financial difficulties. Patients with MS illness start moving their muscles which they cannot move; because the water has a lifting force which reduces the weight of the patient. During the study, an expert of the field gave the basics of physical therapy and a long term continuous observation was realized. Semi structured in-depth face to face interviews were conducted by 14 patients and different type of difficulties encountered were identified. Think-a-loud session with two patients that took two hours have provided chance to witness one to one and detailed steps of actions and emotional reactions to those situations. Compiling input from all those techniques and literature review provided robust input for a quantitative measurement instrument and design of an aqua therapy product. Later the product has been assessed with the help of developed instrument that included more than 60 question items. An analysis of the product by the instrument provided a thorough feedback that identified most critical determinants of satisfaction. The product were expected to support privacy, increased frequency of use, time considerations, movement flexibility and quality of treatment. It is also commented that perceived usefulness would be escalated by some guidance documents, trialability and personalization possibility. Second round of design considering those findings will improve the product’s performance and multiply its effect positively.