Diseño y desarrollo de materiales terapéuticos para prevenir el deterioro de la motricidad fina en los adultos mayores.

Abstract

This research focuses on the design and development of therapeutic materials aimed at preventing the deterioration of fine motor skills in institutionalized older adults, specifically at the Hogar de Ancianos Corazón de Jesús in Ambato, Ecuador. Fine motor skills are essential for daily activities such as writing, buttoning clothes, or handling small objects—abilities that commonly decline with age, significantly impacting autonomy and quality of life. To develop therapeutic materials that address this issue, a mixed-methods approach was applied. Quantitative tools like the Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test were combined with qualitative methods such as interviews with healthcare professionals and elderly residents to assess functional needs and validate the effectiveness of the proposal. The outcome was LiForm, a multifunctional therapeutic device designed to enhance hand-eye coordination, wrist and finger mobility, and cognitive stimulation. The product is ergonomic, modular, and play-oriented, created using the Design Thinking methodology. The design incorporates textured surfaces, interchangeable components, and flexible materials adapted to users’ physical limitations. Moreover, the project promotes an inclusive, sustainable, and culturally contextualized approach, making it replicable in other geriatric institutions. LiForm demonstrates that industrial design can provide effective and accessible therapeutic solutions, supporting active and dignified aging through user-centered, emotionally engaging, and functional products.