Low-Cost Timber-Based Cerebral Palsy Seating Solution for Children in Low-Income Settings: Design, Fabrication, and Preliminary Pilot Evaluation

Presenter Information

Amos Ooga Nyakundi, Health and Rehabilitation Initiatives Organization, Kisii, Kenya 

Abstract

Children living with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in low-income regions encounter significant and multifaceted challenges when it comes to accessing postural support devices, which are crucial for functional mobility, feeding, communication, and early learning. While commercial adaptive seating systems are clinically effective, they are often prohibitively expensive, technologically complex, and logistically inaccessible in rural and underserved communities. This study introduces a comprehensive design, fabrication, and preliminary evaluation of a low-cost, timber-based seating solution for children with CP, developed using only locally available materials and in alignment with the World Health Organization (WHO) wheelchair service provision principles. Through a participatory action research framework, the project engaged rehabilitation professionals, local carpenters, WHO-trained wheelchair service personnel, and primary caregivers in a collaborative co-design process. This teamwork led to the creation of a functional, adjustable prototype, fabricated at an approximate cost of KSh 13,700 (≈ USD 107). The prototype is set for a structured pilot evaluation involving five children (aged 2–8 years) with spastic or mixed-type CP, classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Levels III–V, and enrolled in a community-based rehabilitation program in Kisii County, Kenya. Based on initial observations, anticipated outcomes include measurable enhancements in sitting balance, head control, upper limb function, ease of caregiving tasks, and increased participation in developmental activities. This project highlights the viability and importance of scalable, culturally relevant, and economically sustainable innovations in assistive technology (AT). It serves as a practical model for bridging the AT access gap through community-centric design and localized production, contributing significantly to inclusive health and rehabilitation strategies in low-resource settings globally.

School

Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine

Submission Type

Paper

Repository Citation

Nyakundi, A. O. (2026). Low-Cost Timber-Based Cerebral Palsy Seating Solution for Children in Low-Income Settings: Design, Fabrication, and Preliminary Pilot Evaluation. Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/duqcom-2026/6