Design of a Standing Device for Children with Spinal Dysraphysm

Abstract

The standing posture is one of the most important factors in the maturation of the neuromotor system, and it is an evolutionary necessity that phylogenetically makes possible the differentiation of functions between the upper and lower limbs, influencing a greater development of the latter; with a fundamental change in the shape of the foot: it increases the importance of the tarsus and metatarsus and reduces the work of the fingers, which facilitates the movement, transfer and independence of the individual in their activities of daily life. The design and production of the prototype of the device, the judgment of the experts, as well as the results of the physiotherapeutic evaluation before and after the standing program, are the threads that are woven in this research proposal. This study seeks to propose a prototype of a standing frame for pediatric patients with spina bifida. The design of a device for standing is proposed based on the individual characteristics of the users, which was evaluated by experts to later perform a case study on a standing program with this type of device in pediatric patients with spine bifida. The designed prototype seems to offer adequate conditions for maintaining standing and on some musculoskeletal conditions of the patient studied. The study concludes that assisted standing should be promoted through inexpensive, functional and continuous monitoring devices. A user-applied design is proposed and not a generic device model.