The Effectiveness of Mobility Aids for People with Mobility Impairment

A Research Paper

Presented to

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements of

Academic Subjects

By:

ALPARO, Arjay M.

CALDERON, Jhea Isobel H.

EBREO, Mark Jayson T.

FETALVERO, Jonnel C.

MAGPANTAY, Yvette T.

MANALO, Angelo

SALVADOR, Acel Yan

TORINO, Mark A.

HUMSS – 103

( DATE )
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers wish to express their deepest gratitude to the special people who have

extended their assistance for the success of this study:

- To Almighty God, our source of life and strength, of knowledge and wisdom;

- Ma’am ___ for their genuine apprehension, encouragement, patience and guidance

and whose expertise and knowledge were generously shared;

- To the fellow classmates, for sharing their knowledge and idea in helping the

researchers in the construction of the project;

- To our parents for supporting us all throughout this process especially in terms of

financial.

The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, this piece of work was heartily offered.
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Mobility is an important prerequisite for equal participation in social life and

satisfaction of basic human needs (Sammer, G. et al). Mobility Impairment refers to the

inability of a person to use one or more of his/her extremities. It is also considered as

the lack of strength to walk, or lift objects. Mobility impairments can restrict the

participation in social life of those affected in such way that people lack fair opportunities

for fulfilling their needs (Sammer, G. et al).

Mobility impairment may be caused by a number of factors, such as disease, an

accident, or a congenital disorder and may be the result from neuro-muscular and

orthopedic impairments (Colorado State University).

People that acquire this type of disability use devices, called mobility aids. These

are designed to assist walking, improve the mobility of the person, or otherwise help

them enjoy greater freedom and independence. These devices include canes, walkers,

wheelchair, and crutches. Mobility aids are very beneficial to the users because it also

increased their confidence and self esteem.

 It is said that disabled people costs more for their expenses, than the non-

disabled persons. From mobility aids, to their health needs, it all stacks up. That’s why

some cannot afford to have mobility aids, especially to those who live in poor areas.

Wheelchair is the most known mobility aid. But wheelchairs aren’t for everyone

who has a hard time walking. Doctors said that the most effective walking aid are

crutches, especially if the patient’s situation is non-weight bearing. Crutches are only

useful when one leg is injured, and one leg must be very strong and healthy. Crutches

are only cheap and affordable too, but users struggle because it is not the easy-to-bring

anywhere due to its size and inflexibility.

While most people can walk, and a large number of people cannot. For those

people, walking aids like crutches, walkers and canes are a true lifesaver.
Statement of the Problem

Mobility impairment is defined as category of disability that causes people

to lack strength in standing, walking, grasping, or lifting. Attaining this kind of disability

has a lot of consequences and limits the person’s skills and capacity. The use of

mobility aids would be a lot of help and improvement for them which will also enable

them to be physically active.

The main focus of this study are for the one legged people. Therefore, the

research problem is to determine the most effective and recommended assistive aid for

people with mobility impairment, with the exception of wheelchairs.

Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the most effective mobility aid?

2. How effective is the use of mobility aids for people with mobility impairment?

3. What can be improved in the mobility aid for it to be more effective to the users?
Research Question
Significance of the Study

The importance of this research is that the researchers came up with a

product that improved and enhanced one of the mobility aids. Moreover, it will

enable people with mobility impairment to have something that is more

convenient in assisting their walking.

Mobility Impaired People. This study will help mobility impaired people

because it will be more convenient for them to use an improved mobility aid.

Hospitals and Clinics. This study will enable hospitals, clinics, or health

centers to be more concentrated about providing the best mobility aid for

patients.
Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses on determining the most effective assistive aid for

people with mobility impairment. This study is only limited to those people who

have mobility impairment. The researchers will conduct an interview to mobility

impaired people if they participate voluntarily. Also, an interview will be also

conducted to some of the workers in a health center to have their answers and

opinions to the researchers’ given question about the study. All of the

participants’ answers will be documented and gathered by the researchers.

 Conceptual Framework

The Effectiveness of Mobility

Preferred Mobility Aids of
Aids for People with Mobility
People with Mobility
Impairment
Impairment
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Definition of Terms

To make this research more understandable to those who will study this

research, the researchers included the definition of the following terms:

Mobility – The ability to move; capacity for movement

Impairment – A disability or handicap

Mobility Impairment – Difficulty in using the limbs, with balance or coordination;

lack of strength to walk

Extremities – The hands and feet

Process

Mobility Aid – Designed to help people

Explicitwho have problems in walking or moving
Around

Self-esteem – Individual’s subjective evaluation of their own worth

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

In this chapter, the researchers present a compilation of various readings

gathered from the internet. Said readings were used as reference in conducting this

research.

Related Literature

Mimi Sheller (2011) said that although mobility is historically significant, and

hence not unique to contemporary times, the world is arguably moving differently and in

more dynamic, complex and trackable ways than ever before, while facing new

challenges of forced mobility and uneven mobility, environmental limits and climate

change and the movement of unpredictable risks.

According to G. Sammer (2012), mobility is an important prerequisite for equal

participation in social life and satisfaction of basic human needs. Mobility impairments

can restrict the participation in social life of those affected such that people lack fair

opportunities for fulfilling their needs. In the past, mobility problems of people with a

physical or sensory disability were the focus of attention, while other attributes causing

mobility impairment, such as immigrant backgrounds, poverty, and so forth, were mainly

ignored by research and planning, even though, according to estimates, more than one-

third of the population are affected. Therefore, there is little qualitative or quantitative

knowledge about these impairments and the individual consequences.

Social pressures and perceived stigma deter mobility aid use, particularly in
minority populations. Greater physician involvement, positive peer models and

affordable, safe, visually appealing devices would promote greater acceptance of

mobility aids. (Resnik L1, Allen S, Isenstadt D, Wasserman M, Iezzoni L (2009))

REFERENCES

 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20160951

 https://study.com/academy/answer/what-is-mobility-impairment.html

 https://www.washington.edu/doit/mobility-impairments

 http://www.sagepub.net/isa/resources/pdf/Mobility.pdf