Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan SY(1), Fung ML(1), Leung KY(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital
Introduction :
Pressure garments are a widespread modality used by occupational therapists for scar management. Evidence suggests that they can enhance scar colour, thickness, pain, and overall scar quality (De Decker et al., 2023). Traditionally, the design of these custom-made pressure garment patterns relies on hand drawing, which is often time-consuming.
Objectives :
The objective of this study is to develop an automated computer program for generating knee tube pressure garment patterns. The aim is twofold: first, to minimize the time spent on manual processing of measurements and pattern fabrication using traditional paper-and-pencil methods; second, to ensure the accuracy of pressure garment fabrication. Additionally, this tool seeks to alleviate the workload of occupational therapists by automating the pattern generation process.
Methodology :
A computer program and mobile application have been developed to automate the generation of knee tube pressure garment patterns. By simply inputting the patient's measurements, including the circumferences and lengths of their legs, the program immediately produces tailored and precise knee tube patterns, which significantly enhances accuracy and efficiency in the process. Feedback was collected from therapists and patient care assistants through a structured questionnaire, focusing on overall satisfaction, speed, accuracy, and clarity. The time required to produce a knee tube pattern using both the conventional method and the automated program is also measured and compared.
Result & Outcome :
The results indicated high satisfaction levels, with most respondents highlighting the program's speed as a key advantage over the traditional method. Further evaluation indicated that the knee tube pattern generator is effective in reducing the time used in manual processing, thereby accelerating the process by more than 70% compared to the conventional method. By reducing the time spent on manual measurements and pattern fabrication, the program allows occupational therapists to dedicate more time to patient-centered rehabilitation care. This study highlights the critical role of technological integration in clinical practice and suggests- pathways for further enhancement and application in patient care.
