OPPORTUNITIES FOR UTILIZING SMART FABRIC IN THE DESIGN OF OUTERWEAR FOR PHYSICAL SECURITY DURING EPILEPSY SEIZURES WHEN INDIVIDUALS WITH EPILEPSY (PWE) MOBILIZE IN THEIR DAILY LIVES

• Main Author: Bernardino Soeiono, Daniel
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/73508
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Epilepsi is a neurological disorder characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, leading to excessive impulses and resulting in seizures. These seizures can manifest as involuntary movements in a specific part of the body (partial) or the entire body (generalized), often accompanied by loss of consciousness (WHO, 2017). Epilepsy can have various neurobiological, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences (PERDOSSI, 2014). People with epilepsy (PWE) face certain risks and challenges in their daily lives, including the occurrence of unpredictable seizures, which can be highly distressing and debilitating, leading to social isolation and decreased quality of life (Beniczky, 2019). While prescription medications and monitoring devices can help mitigate some of these issues for PWE and their caregivers, the experience of navigating public spaces during seizures is often daunting, as PWE have to face their seizures alone until the epileptic episode subsides. The utilization of smart fabric technology integrated into everyday clothing, along with other features, is expected to assist in managing epilepsy seizures for PWE in public spaces. Research and exploration of design requirements are conducted through literature studies, online ethnography, interviews, and body storming. The research resulted in the design of a semi-formal outerwear garment (coach jacket) with photochromic thread for medical identification, nylon air cushions for fall cushioning, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-based monitoring features. These features are automatically activated with the assistance of a simple EEG (electroencephalogram) device.