Donning And Doffing

A key task in the field of occupational therapy and a basic activity of daily living (ADL) is putting on and taking off shoes. For most people, this task seems easy and automatic, but for those who have physical limitations, balance issues, neurological conditions, or are recovering from surgery, it can become difficult, dangerous, or stressful. The process of putting on and taking off shoes is examined from anatomical, physiological, kinesiological, social, and cultural angles in this monograph.

In order to complete this task safely and on one's own, the study emphasizes the coordinated involvement of the upper and lower limbs, core muscles, sensory systems, and vision. Additionally, it looks at how various shoe styles and designs affect posture, balance, movement, energy expenditure, and performance ease. To highlight the larger context of this everyday activity, cultural and social connotations related to shoes and shoe removal are examined.

Additionally, the importance of occupational therapy in identifying movement limitations, assessing challenges, and offering adaptive strategies is highlighted. This monograph shows that putting on and taking off shoes is a complex functional activity that is necessary for independence, safety, and quality of life through in-depth analysis and a case study.