Thema PI – User-Centered Design for Postnatal Recovery

As part of the research project “Thema PI,” the research team of the Department of Textile and Material Design at weißensee academy of art berlin, together with its project partners, developed an innovative sports belt system to support postnatal muscle recovery.

The system integrates novel technologies of electromagnetic muscle activation (EMA) – comparable to electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) – and is specifically designed for women in the postnatal rehabilitation phase.

The focus was on creating a functional, aesthetic, and sustainable product that enables the integration of medical and technological requirements. Through user-centered scenario development, close collaboration with medical professionals, and extensive real-world testing, design guidelines, prototypes, as well as manufacturing and joining techniques were developed and validated.

User studies showed a high level of satisfaction regarding fit, ease of use, and material quality. Participants particularly praised the intuitive handling and the noticeable positive effect on postnatal recovery.

Sustainability was an integral part of the project: recyclable materials were used, modular design approaches were pursued, and a comprehensive design-for-disassembly concept was developed.

The insights gained provide a solid foundation for the future development of smart, circular medical textiles – and highlight the potential of the developed sports belt as an effective and user-friendly therapy system.