Hello everyone. I am a senior mechanical engineering student at the University of Michigan. I am currently completing our senior design course, and our sponsored project is to redesign a doorknob (such as one found in your home) in hopes of making it easier for people with arthritis to open and use them. Part of the design process is to research current products and devices that people use, and I was wondering if you would mind taking a few minutes to answer a couple questions (either in a post reply or private message)? Thanks in advance, we really appreciate it.
Survey:
1. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the worst / most severe), how would you rate your arthritis pain on a day to day basis?
2. Where is the pain the worst / most severe? (For the purpose of the project, we are mainly concerned with body parts involved in opening a door, such as the hands, wrists and arms.)
3. Do you find opening a traditional, circular doorknob challenging or painful?
4. What in particular is challenging or painful?
5. What motions are painful? (i.e. pulling / pushing, grabbing, twisting, etc.)
7. Do you / have you used a "door knob gripper", such as the one shown on this website? (http://www.greatgrips.com/)
8. If so, what are your experience with these? Are they effective in reducing pain when opening a door?
9. What changes would you make to the product?
10. Would you be willing to buy a device or new doorknob if it was effective in reducing pain? At what price?
Thank you! If you have any questions about our project, feel free to email me at Locherm@umich.edu. I'd be happy to answer them.
Michael Locher
I have to concur with the ladies.. I too like the lever knobs... I can just push down if gripping isn't an option.
I know it is off topic, but the question "5. What motions are painful?". For me it is currently standing up from the sitting position, it is usually a 30 second process" 1. skooting to the best position to attempt standing, then 10 seconds of deep breathing and brain prep because the pain is coming, then using arms as it is may be possible for pushing, up, then 5 secs of balancing to make sure I got all the way up before I take a step.
On doorknobs, we have all the handle type in the house, which are of course fine, even can be opened with knee as needed. Biggest door problems I have are: 1. the car, which has a small pull lever that would typically be "squeezed" by one finger. No big problem, I just 2 hand it. And 2., the patio sliding doors, they are probably older, but since my hands are painful and weak, pushing those doors open or closed is a hassle.
Roland
Yes! The screen doors.