Martha L. Hall

Expressive Prostheses: Meaning and Significance

Abstract Prosthetic limbs have historically been intended for replacing loss, and as a result, are usually functional or naturalistic in design. The basic, or “functional,” prosthesis meets the rudimentary operational needs of the user. A naturalistic prosthetic limb, or cosmesis, is focused on discretion, thereby disguising limb loss. However, a new type of artificial limb is appearing in the marketplace. These prostheses differ from the traditional designs, in that they solicit attention and express the personal style and self-concept of the individual with limb loss or absence. Based on the Lamb and Kallal (1992) FEA Consumer Needs Model, these prostheses fulfill the expressive needs of prosthetic limb users, which have historically been overlooked. This article explores the current literature in order to establish a context for what will be designated expressive prostheses. The analysis will begin by reviewing recent scholarship on prosthetic limbs. Since there is limited relevant research on prosthesis design and appearance, related literature from disability studies and fashion studies will be integrated. This expanded literature analysis will provide a larger framework with which to situate expressive prostheses within the existing body of knowledge. Attention will be focused on scholarship related to social psychology, including models of disability and appearance management. In addition, the authors will draw inferences and propose interpretations for the meaning and significance of these prostheses.

Fashion Brand Personality and Advertisement Response: Incorporating a Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

The way in which brands embody symbolic meaning for consumers, as well as the way it is individually received and processed, offers a critical point of brand differentiation in today’s competitive environment. One such method for communicating symbolic meaning is through brand personality. A strong recognizable brand personality is critical to establishing brand equity as personality traits offer assets that consumers value. Effective communication of brand personality in advertising allows marketers to grab consumers’ attention, create market differentiation, build consumer attachment to brands, and foster brand loyalty. This is especially relevant for the fashion industry. In order to capture consumer attention and secure subsequent adoption, fashion brands use advertising to prompt an emotional response and garner a personal connection ultimately differentiating a brand from its competitors. This chapter examines fashion brand personality from a symbolic interactionist perspective. Fashion brand meaning originates from the marketing environment mainly through the vehicle of advertising. This meaning is then subject to negotiation, as is explained within the context of the symbolic interaction theory. The chapter begins with an overview of symbolic interaction within the context of fashion consumption, followed by a discussion of how symbolic meanings have been instilled in products by marketers to create brand personalities in fashion brands. Consumers’ choice of brands based on brand personality are explored noting the importance of the evolving nature of fashion brand meaning. Propositions are offered as they apply to fashion branding and advertising.

Playskin Lift™: Development and Initial Testing of an Exoskeletal Garment to Assist Upper Extremity Mobility and Function

Background A persons ability to move his or her arms against gravity is important for independent performance of critical activities of daily living and for exploration that facilitates early cognitive, language, social, and perceptual-motor development. Children with a variety of diagnoses have difficulty moving their arms against gravity. Objective The purpose of this technical report is to detail the design process and initial testing of a novel exoskeletal garment, the Playskin Lift, that assists and encourages children to lift their arms against gravity. Design This report details the design theory and process, the device, and the results of field testing with a toddler with impaired upper extremity function due to arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Results The Playskin Lift is an inexpensive (<

Green Brand Strategies in the Fashion Industry: Leveraging Connections of the Consumer, Brand, and Environmental Sustainability

30 material costs), easy to use (5/5 rating), comfortable (5/5 rating), and attractive (4/5 rating) device. While wearing the device, the child was able to contact objects more often throughout an increased play space, to look at toys more while contacting them, and to perform more complex interactions with toys. Limitations This report details initial testing with one child. Future testing with more participants is recommended. Conclusions These results suggest that by considering the broad needs of users, including cost, accessibility, comfort, aesthetics, and function, we can design inexpensive devices that families and clinicians can potentially fabricate in their own communities to improve function, participation, exploration, and learning for children with disabilities.

Development and testing of a stitched stretch sensor with the potential to measure human movement

With a growing number of major fashion brands engaging in green-branding initiatives, environmental sustainability is becoming a management agenda that is being prioritized among many companies. However, the research literature is mixed in assessing the potential of the green strategy. Based on the schema theory as the theoretical framework, this chapter offers propositions that address how to leverage the interrelationship among the consumer, brand, and environmental sustainability within the context of green-branding strategies for fashion. Supported by the research literature and current movements in the fashion industry, this chapter explains how consumer receptivity to and decision making with regard to green fashion brands are influenced by the relationship between (1) consumer and environmental sustainability, (2) brand and environmental sustainability, and (3) consumer and brand. Consumer acceptance of green brands is dependent on how consumers process new green information within the context of the brand schema. Consumer motivation and ability to incorporate environmental sustainability within the brand schema will influence consumer attitudes toward the green brand. Also, the perceived fit between the brand and environmental sustainability as well as the authenticity of the business strategy will influence consumer response. In addition, consumers’ ability to integrate the fashion brand’s image with environmental values and the strength of their relationship with the brand will determine how green brand attributes are accepted. Industry implications for green branding are discussed and recommendations for future research are presented.

Design and development of the first exoskeletal garment to enhance arm mobility for children with movement impairments

Abstract Human movement in health sciences is typically measured using motion capture laboratory equipment, but this method has inherent limitations including cost, specialized knowledge requirements, and inability to measure activity in natural settings. This study presents a novel textile-based stretch sensor with potential for use for measurement of human movement in smart clothing. The sensor is composed of silver-plated thread stitched into a textile substrate. Multiple samples varying in thread type, length, stitch geometry, and textile substrate were systematically fabricated and tested. Elongation and recovery testing revealed the optimal sensor configuration for providing the largest and most repeatable change in resistance. Proper placement of these sensors in clothing may allow for a variety of applications, including kinematic measurement, activity monitoring, movement impairment detection, activity feedback, or control of environmental and assistive technologies.

Ottawa Panel Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Therapeutic Exercises and Manual Therapy in the Management of Osteoarthritis

ABSTRACT Children with a variety of diagnoses have impairments that limit their arm function. Despite the fact that arm function is important for early learning and activities of daily living, there are few tools to assist movement for these children, and existing devices have challenges related to cost, accessibility, comfort, and aesthetics. In this article, we describe the design process and development of the first garment-based exoskeleton to assist arm movement in young children with movement impairments: the Playskin LiftTM. We outline our design process, which contrasts with the traditional medical model in that it is interdisciplinary, user-centered, and addresses the broad needs of users, rather than device function alone. Then we report the results of field-testing with the initial prototype with respect to our design metrics on a toddler with significant bilateral arm movement impairments. Finally, we summarize our ongoing development aimed at increasing comfort, aesthetics, and accessibility of the garment. The interdisciplinary, user-centered approach to assistive technology design presented here can result in innovative and impactful design solutions that translate to the real world.