This study proposes to develop equipment which meets the demands of tetraplegics suffering from cerebral palsy and which promotes the adequate biomechanical posture of the caregiver during the shower activity of daily living. First, a bibliographic review was performed to define the terms referring to cerebral palsy, daily living activities (specifically showering), and assistive technology, in addition to listing the wheelchairs made principally by national assistive technology companies. Afterwards, data was collected from a questionnaire given to caretakers at medical-therapeutic treatment centers. At this point, anthropometric data and an analysis of the conditions under which baths were taken were also collected. The evaluation of the results obtained through the questionnaire, along with the practice and clinical experience of the researchers and engineers involved in this study, made it possible to develop and construct a real shower chair prototype.
Cerebral palsy; Assistive technology; Daily living activity; Bath chair; Product development
