Garment-Doffing Kinematic Analysis

Abstract

This research sought to develop a method to identify the critical upper-body movements in the doffing of a selected garment type, and to develop and test a method for quantitative kinematic analysis of doffing. Two nightgowns, one short and one long, were purchased and replicated in sheer fabric. Twelve critical movements were observed regardless of which of the four garments was doffed The adaptation of a three-dimensional motion analysis system, WATSMART, to quantify doffing movements was equivocal in terms of reliability and validity. WATSMART was consistent within and between doffing trials in tracking movement patterns. It was valid in recording the sequence, directions, and types of motions; however, large divergences were found in the arms' angular displacements when comparing within and between doffing trials. Despite WATSMART's mixed performance, three-dimensional analysis shows promise in providing useful information about the body's movements in the doffing process.