Inclusive Design Process for User-Centered Wearable Products: A Case Study on Lumbar Support for Older Women with Chronic Low Back Pain

This study proposed an Inclusive Design Process Model for User-Centered Wearable Products (IDP-UW), suggesting opportunities, expected outcomes, and practical approaches guided by key design principles to ensure user inclusion and equitable access in the design process. To validate the model, an empirical case study was conducted to develop wearable lumbar support for older women with chronic low back pain. Iterative user interactions were integrated in the inclusive design process. The final prototype, developed through the process, incorporated form factors and materials reflecting the anthropometric characteristics and preferences of participants. Multidimensional evaluations confirmed that the final prototype demonstrated strong performance in walking balance, human error reduction, and subjective satisfaction. Moreover, participants expressed that their participation in the design process enriched their experience, fostering a sense of involvement, authority, achievement, and engagement. This study offers actionable insights addressing the needs of marginalized users, especially for wearable products where body-product interactions are crucial.