CONFERENCES
E&PDE 2026 - 28th International Conference on Engineering & Product Design Education
The Conference will bring together representatives from education and industry interested in sharing new perspectives on design education.
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In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
USER-CENTRED DESIGN OF THERAPEUTIC DEVICES FOR MOUNTED EQUINE-ASSISTED THERAPY WITH CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL AND MOTOR DISABILITIES
Marquez Cañizares, Juan Carlos; Perez-De La Rocha, Diana Laura; Oyervides-Ramiréz, Griselda Esthela
Type:
Year:
2026
Editor:
Buck, Lyndon; Brisco. Ross; Bohemia, Erik
Author:
Series:
E&PDE
Institution:
Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico
Page(s):
310 - 315
DOI number:
ISBN:
978-1-912254-24-8
ISSN:
3005-4753
Abstract:
Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) offers significant physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits for children with intellectual disabilities who also experience motor challenges. However, many therapeutic centres lack specialized devices that enhance intervention quality once the child is mounted on the horse, where posture control, engagement, and coordinated movement become critical. This study reports on a semester-long design project in which product design students developed two therapeutic devices to support mounted activities at Fundación FICAE in Monterrey, Mexico. The investigation followed a user-centred design approach. Students conducted targeted research on intellectual disability and motor impairment, combined with interviews and field observations during EAT sessions. These insights highlighted key therapeutic challenges: maintaining trunk stability, promoting bilateral coordination, and sustaining attention during mounted exercises. Based on this understanding, students generated initial sketches and low-fidelity prototypes, which were iteratively tested and refined through feedback from therapeutic specialists. Through cycles of making, testing, and redesign, both teams progressed toward high-fidelity functional prototypes tailored to the dynamic and safety-critical context of EAT. The resulting devices supported activities aimed at improving balance, posture, motor planning, and engagement, while also reducing therapist workload during mounted exercises. This project demonstrates the potential of integrating real-world therapeutic contexts into product design education, fostering student competencies in participatory design, prototyping, and evidence-based decision-making. It also contributes a replicable approach for designing context-specific therapeutic devices that address the needs of children with intellectual and motor disabilities participating in equine-assisted therapy.
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