A study on designing bath clothes for patients after breast cancer operation to improve their QOL

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K02345
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08030:Family and consumer sciences, and culture and living-related
• Research Institution: Kio University
• Principal Investigator: MURATA HIROKO 畿央大学, 健康科学部, 教授 (00269961)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 西岡 敦子 大阪国際大学, 人間科学部, 教授 (30208144) ; 福森 貢 畿央大学, 健康科学部, 教授 (30310642) ; 中西 恵理 畿央大学, 健康科学部, 助教 (40757952) ; 小松 智菜美 畿央大学, 健康科学部, 助手 (10890832)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 入浴着 / 乳がん / 乳がん術後女性 / 入浴施設 / 使い切り / 不織布 / バスタイムトップス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I have undertaken a study on bathing suits to improve the Quality of Life (QOL) of women post-breast cancer surgery. I conducted a survey on bathing suits among women who had undergone breast cancer surgery and managers of hot spring facilities. As a result, it became clear that both parties had a low awareness of bathing suits. Based on these findings, I pursued a design for a bathing suit that would be suitable and comfortable for both parties and worked on the development of a disposable product, ultimately realizing its commercialization. It was selected for the Good Design Award in 2022, and now, the bathing suits are available in five colors and are sold in hot spring facilities, public baths, inns, and online shopping sites.

Free Research Field

被服学　生活科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、乳がん術後女性のQOL向上のために、乳がん患者と入浴施設対象に入浴着に関する調査を行い、抽出された問題点より、入浴着の必要性が明らかになった。
乳がん患者入浴施設双方にとって有益な入浴着を完成させたことは患者の生活の質(QOL)の向上に寄与し乳がん患者の社会参加を支援することになる。また、乳がん患者だけでなく、手術や病気により特定の衣服を必要とする他の患者群に対する理解と支援を促進する一助となると考えられる。