Development of thermal knitted textile materials to mitigate musculoskeletal pain
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Date
2012-09
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Textiles come to our help in every walk of life in various forms. An important and growing part of the textile industry consists of the medical and related health care sectors. In today’s health care environment, textile products are being used in innovative applications. Middle age is a time when degenerative processes and gradual age-related physiological changes occur and affect the functional capacities of body systems. Musculoskeletal problems, are significant sign of health status although it is not life threatening but it deteriorate the quality of life during middle adulthood. Various forms of treatment are available for treatment of musculoskeletal problems. Therapeutic textile materials are the one used as a part of treatment and are designed to reduce pain, swelling and stiffness and to prevent worsening of the condition due to more wear and tear of the joint. Present study was planned to utilize therapeutic thermal properties of bacterian camel hair to help in relieving the musculoskeletal pain through development of knitted thermal textile fabrics. A survey was conducted with a sample size of total 400 respondents (200 doctors and 200 patients who visit and consult doctors) to find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain problem among middle adults. It was found from the results of study that out of 200 patients, greater number of females were suffering from MSDs as compared to males.Office workers/working women were suffering more from MSDs than housewives. Advancing age, level of physical activity/occupation and life style pattern were the major dependent factors found to cause musculoskeletal problem by using Chi-square test of independence. In the experimental work, bacterian camel hairs were scoured through different scouring methods and on the basis of physical properties, most suitable method was selected. Procured cotton(Co) and acrylic (Acr) fibres were assessed for physico-chemical properties along with camel (Ca) hairs. Pure and blended ring spun yarns of 2/30s count were prepared and their physical properties were evaluated. Pure yarn (camel) could not be spun on ring spinning system. Less yarn imperfections and good yarn evenness was observed in Ca:Co:Acr (20:60:20) yarn and Ca:Co:Acr (20:20:60) yarns. They also showed optimum yarn strength and elongation properties desired for the intended purpose. All the prepared pure and blended yarns were used for circular knitting of single and double jersey fabrics. Properties of each knitted sample was assessed and compared with each other statistically using ANOVA and were found to be statistically significant in comparison to other pure and blended knitted fabric samples. It was observed that variations in knitted structure (single and double jersey) affected the fabric weight and fabric thickness, thermal conductivity, air and water-vapour permeability of pure and blended knitted fabrics. All the double jersey fabrics exhibited good thermal insulation, low air and water-vapour permeability than single jersey fabrics. Estimated cost per meter of fabric for all knitted fabrics was also calculated. Estimated cost per meter fabric (` 748/- & ` 753/-) and cost per piece of product (` 155/- & ` 156.12/-) of single and double jersey of Ca:Co.Acr (60:20:20) blend ratio was higher than other knitted fabrics. These knitted fabric samples in product form were evaluated by doctors. Double jersey knitted fabrics i.e. pure cotton and Ca:Co:Acr (20:60:20) were most preferred by doctors and given to patients for 25 days trial period, for assessment of functional aspects of developed products. All knitted fabrics were approved by the respondents.
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