{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T02:49:18Z","timestamp":1760150958742,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":24,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2022,1,20]],"date-time":"2022-01-20T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1642636800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Designs"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Intermittent vesical self-catheterisation is a legitimate and safe technique that has been reported since the 1970s as a solution for the treatment and prevention of vesical urinary complications resulting from spinal cord injury. This practice, using clean technology, has been asserting itself as one of the best alternatives for people with neurogenic bladder. However, adherence is not complete due to some barriers imposed to this procedure by the injured, with emphasis on positioning, agility, and visual impairment. The solutions presented today to support self-catheterisation are expensive equipment that does not allow patients with advanced levels of spasticity to have their autonomy. A biomechanical support device was developed to aid self-catheterisation, mainly aimed at women with spasticity, filling the gap in the existing products. Despite the main objective of self-catheterisation, the system\u2019s design made it possible to quantify the strength of the adductors for the sitting position during the execution of the adduction movement, particularly relevant for spastic patients. The device\u2019s production was entirely carried out using the FDM methodology, with 3D printers, and its design and operation were thought to overcome the physical and psychological barriers imposed by the users. The system was first tested with a group of healthy volunteers to obtain a pattern of the adductors force in a sitting position and after with a group of spastic volunteers. The obtained data allows to compare the adductor force data and optimize the system, with particular functionalities for spastic patients, with the implementation of a motorised version and a visualization camera. The system, its developments, and results obtained are present and discussed.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/designs6010007","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,1,20]],"date-time":"2022-01-20T22:40:20Z","timestamp":1642718420000},"page":"7","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Biomechanical Device for Measurement of Adductors Strength and Aid in Self-Catheterisation of Spastic Patients"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"6","author":[{"given":"Maria","family":"Cruz","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Polytechnic of Coimbra, ISEC, Rua Pedro Nunes\u2014Quinta da Nora, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Applied Biomechanics Laboratory, i2A\u2014Institute of Applied Research, Polytechnic of Coimbra, Lagar dos Corti\u00e7os\u2013S. Martinho do Bispo, 3030-093 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3295-7993","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"V\u00edtor","family":"Maranha","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Polytechnic of Coimbra, ISEC, Rua Pedro Nunes\u2014Quinta da Nora, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Applied Biomechanics Laboratory, i2A\u2014Institute of Applied Research, Polytechnic of Coimbra, Lagar dos Corti\u00e7os\u2013S. Martinho do Bispo, 3030-093 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Department of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes (CEMMPRE), University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5582-8380","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fernando","family":"Moita","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Polytechnic of Coimbra, ISEC, Rua Pedro Nunes\u2014Quinta da Nora, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Applied Biomechanics Laboratory, i2A\u2014Institute of Applied Research, Polytechnic of Coimbra, Lagar dos Corti\u00e7os\u2013S. Martinho do Bispo, 3030-093 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Nuno","family":"Cruz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Polytechnic of Coimbra, ISEC, Rua Pedro Nunes\u2014Quinta da Nora, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Deolinda","family":"Rasteiro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Polytechnic of Coimbra, ISEC, Rua Pedro Nunes\u2014Quinta da Nora, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Applied Biomechanics Laboratory, i2A\u2014Institute of Applied Research, Polytechnic of Coimbra, Lagar dos Corti\u00e7os\u2013S. Martinho do Bispo, 3030-093 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Filipe","family":"Carvalho","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Applied Biomechanics Laboratory, i2A\u2014Institute of Applied Research, Polytechnic of Coimbra, Lagar dos Corti\u00e7os\u2013S. Martinho do Bispo, 3030-093 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Centro de Medicina de Reabilita\u00e7\u00e3o da Regi\u00e3o Centro, Hospital Rovisco Pais, Quinta da Fonte Quente, 3064-908 Tocha, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8737-7569","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jorge","family":"Lains","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Applied Biomechanics Laboratory, i2A\u2014Institute of Applied Research, Polytechnic of Coimbra, Lagar dos Corti\u00e7os\u2013S. Martinho do Bispo, 3030-093 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Centro de Medicina de Reabilita\u00e7\u00e3o da Regi\u00e3o Centro, Hospital Rovisco Pais, Quinta da Fonte Quente, 3064-908 Tocha, Portugal"},{"name":"Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6043-6007","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Luis","family":"Roseiro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Polytechnic of Coimbra, ISEC, Rua Pedro Nunes\u2014Quinta da Nora, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Applied Biomechanics Laboratory, i2A\u2014Institute of Applied Research, Polytechnic of Coimbra, Lagar dos Corti\u00e7os\u2013S. Martinho do Bispo, 3030-093 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Department of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Processes (CEMMPRE), University of Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,1,20]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"282","article-title":"Clean intermittent self catheterization in spinal cord injury","volume":"45","author":"Assis","year":"2011","journal-title":"Rev. da Esc. de Enferm. da USP"},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"Shenot, P.J. (2020, October 14). Bexiga neurog\u00e9nica. Available online: https:\/\/www.msdmanuals.com\/pt\/profissional\/dist%C3%BArbios-geniturin%C3%A1rios\/dist%C3%BArbios-miccionais\/bexiga-neurog%C3%AAnica."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"170","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apnr.2013.12.002","article-title":"Intermittent urethral catheterization\u2014Descriptive study at a Brazilian service","volume":"27","author":"Mazzo","year":"2014","journal-title":"Appl. Nurs. Res."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.2147\/PPA.S49060","article-title":"Ensuring patient adherence to clean intermittent self-catheterization","volume":"8","author":"Panicker","year":"2014","journal-title":"Patient Prefer. Adher."},{"key":"ref_5","unstructured":"Baczkoski, J.S. (1981). Mirror assembly for patients with personal hygiene problems. (4,257,680), U.S. Patent."},{"key":"ref_6","unstructured":"Levy, E.A. (1968). Mirror assembly to be held between the knees of a user. (3,411,842), U.S. Patent."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"366","DOI":"10.5014\/ajot.45.4.366","article-title":"Self-catheterization for the woman with quadriplegia","volume":"45","author":"Billau","year":"1991","journal-title":"Am. J. Occup. Ther."},{"key":"ref_8","unstructured":"Gerace, J.A. (1994). Mirror adapted for use in self-catheterizing procedures. (5,311,366), U.S. Patent."},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"Alvi, H.I., Cozzie, N.L., Wilkinson, M.R., Ochoa, A., and Eaton, B. (2013). Self-inspection apparatus. (8602574), U.S. Patent."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"295","DOI":"10.1080\/17453674.2018.1441362","article-title":"A randomized controlled trial on maximal strength training in 60 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty","volume":"89","author":"Winther","year":"2018","journal-title":"Acta Orthop."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1056","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2003.11.022","article-title":"Effects of a late-phase exercise program after total hip arthroplasty: A randomized controlled trial","volume":"85","author":"Smith","year":"2004","journal-title":"Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabilit."},{"key":"ref_12","unstructured":"Pinto, J.L.D. (2020). Dados Normativos e Normalizados de For\u00e7a de Adu\u00e7\u00e3o e Abdu\u00e7\u00e3o da Anca em Jogadores de Futebol de Elite em Portugal. [Ph.D. Thesis, Universidade Privada da Maia]."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"706","DOI":"10.1177\/0269215507077302","article-title":"The effect of exercise on hip muscle strength, gait speed and cadence in patients with total hip arthroplasty: A randomized controlled study","volume":"21","author":"Unlu","year":"2007","journal-title":"Clin. Rehabilit."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"283","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physio.2016.01.003","article-title":"Randomised controlled trial to evaluate a physiotherapy-led functional exercise programme after total hip replacement","volume":"103","author":"Monaghan","year":"2016","journal-title":"Physiotherapy"},{"key":"ref_15","unstructured":"(2022, January 04). Muscle Controller by Kinvent. Hand-Held Dynamometer for Physios and Sport Pros. Available online: https:\/\/k-invent.com\/k-forcemuscle-controller\/."},{"key":"ref_16","unstructured":"(2022, January 04). ForceFrame: Strength Testing System. VALD Performance. Available online: https:\/\/valdperformance.com\/forceframe\/."},{"key":"ref_17","unstructured":"Cabrera, M.N.B., and Norris, J.A. (2007). Aparatus and method for evaluating hypertonic condition. (2007\/0027631A1), U.S. Patent."},{"key":"ref_18","unstructured":"Wang, T.Y., Wu, C.Y., and Sutton, O.M. (2016). Spasticity quantification device. (2016\/0317066A1), U.S. Patent."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1658","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2009.04.018","article-title":"Early maximal strength training is an efficient treatment for patients operated with total hip arthroplasty","volume":"90","author":"Husby","year":"2009","journal-title":"Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabilit."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.1177\/145749690609500111","article-title":"Unrestricted weight bearing and intensive physiotherapy after uncemented total hip arthroplasty","volume":"95","author":"Huss","year":"2006","journal-title":"Scand. J. Surg."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1186\/s11556-017-0174-6","article-title":"Evaluation of hip abductor and adductor strength in the elderly: A reliability study","volume":"14","author":"Gafner","year":"2017","journal-title":"Eur. Rev. Aging Phys. Act."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"256","DOI":"10.1123\/ijspp.2018-0264","article-title":"Measurement properties of an adductor strength-assessment system in professional australian footballers","volume":"14","author":"Ryan","year":"2019","journal-title":"Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Vega, E.C., Jerez-Mayorga, D., Payer, R.M., Jara, C.C., Guzman-Guzman, I., Ponce, A.R., and Chirosa, L.J. (2018). Validity and reliability of evaluating hip abductor strength using different normalization methods in a functional electromechanical device. PLoS ONE, 13.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0202248"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Neto, M.A., Amaro, A., Roseiro, L., Cirne, J., and Leal, R. (2015). Engineering Computation of Structures: The Finite Element Method, Springer.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-17710-6"}],"container-title":["Designs"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2411-9660\/6\/1\/7\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T22:04:20Z","timestamp":1760133860000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2411-9660\/6\/1\/7"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2022,1,20]]},"references-count":24,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,2]]}},"alternative-id":["designs6010007"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/designs6010007","relation":{},"ISSN":["2411-9660"],"issn-type":[{"type":"electronic","value":"2411-9660"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2022,1,20]]}}}