RESEARCH SUMMARY
For my research, I am looking for people with a one-sided arm impairment who experience difficulties putting on or taking off a jacket. This may include impairments caused by stroke, nerve injury, or amputation. Through a short online questionnaire, we aim to better understand the challenges people experience in daily life. Your experiences will help us develop a new assistive device that can improve independence.
INTRODUCTORY TEXT
For many people, putting on a jacket is an everyday activity. However, for people with a one-sided arm impairment, this can be a major challenge. Dressing requires coordination, strength, and movements that may not always be possible or comfortable. As a result, some people rely on assistance from others or avoid certain types of clothing altogether.
To better understand these challenges, we are conducting research into the daily experiences of people with upper-limb impairments. We want to learn from real experiences and needs so future assistive devices can better fit users’ everyday lives.
Do you experience difficulties putting on or taking off a jacket because of an impairment in one arm or hand? Then we warmly invite you to participate in this study. With your experiences, you contribute to the development of technology that can improve independence and comfort.
Would you like to contribute to innovative assistive technology for people with upper-limb impairments? Join our study and help us create new insights.
WHAT ARE WE WORKING ON?
We are working on the development of an assistive device that makes it easier for people with a one-sided arm impairment to independently put on and take off a jacket.
In this research, we explore:
- Which movements are the most challenging during dressing,
- Which strategies people use in daily life,
- Where current solutions fall short,
- Which features a future assistive device should include.
With this study, we aim to better understand how assistive devices can match the wishes, needs, and daily experiences of users. These insights will help develop technology that is more user-friendly, comfortable, and practical in everyday life.
We are looking for people with a one-sided arm impairment, for example due to stroke, nerve injury, or amputation.
WHAT DO WE ASK OF YOU?
If you participate in this study, we ask you to complete a short online questionnaire. This will take approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
During the study:
- You will answer questions about your experiences with putting on and taking off a jacket,
- You will share the challenges you experience in daily life,
- You will help us understand what kind of support is important in future assistive devices.
The questionnaire can be completed online at a time that suits you best.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE AND WHEN?
You can participate if you:
- Are 16 years or older,
- Have an impairment affecting one arm or hand,
- Experience difficulties putting on or taking off a jacket,
- For example due to stroke, nerve injury, or amputation.
Participation is possible online until the end of June 2026.
EXTRA INFORMATION
Your contribution directly supports the development of future assistive technology for people with upper-limb impairments.
MEET THE RESEARCHER
Hi! I’m Giovanni, a Master’s student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Twente. For my Master’s thesis, I focus on assistive devices that support people with upper-limb impairments in daily activities such as putting on and taking off a jacket.
Together with my supervisors, prof.dr.ir. G.J.M. Tuijthof and dr.ir. A.M.M. Aalsma PhD, I investigate how technology can better match users’ needs and help improve independence in daily life.
WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
Would you like to participate? Fill in your name and email address to receive a brochure and the online questionnaire. With your help, we can better tailor future assistive tools to real-world practice and the needs of users.
