Assessing the usability of wearable devices to measure gait and physical activity in chronic conditions: a systematic review
Abstract Background The World Health Organisation’s global strategy for digital health emphasises the importance of patient involvement. Understanding the usability and acceptability of wearable devices is a core component of this. However, usability assessments to date have focused predominantly on...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-021-00931-2 |
| _version_ | 1823937167093661696 |
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| author | Alison Keogh Rob Argent Amy Anderson Brian Caulfield William Johnston |
| author_facet | Alison Keogh Rob Argent Amy Anderson Brian Caulfield William Johnston |
| author_sort | Alison Keogh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The World Health Organisation’s global strategy for digital health emphasises the importance of patient involvement. Understanding the usability and acceptability of wearable devices is a core component of this. However, usability assessments to date have focused predominantly on healthy adults. There is a need to understand the patient perspective of wearable devices in participants with chronic health conditions. Methods A systematic review was conducted to identify any study design that included a usability assessment of wearable devices to measure mobility, through gait and physical activity, within five cohorts with chronic conditions (Parkinson’s disease [PD], multiple sclerosis [MS], congestive heart failure, [CHF], chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder [COPD], and proximal femoral fracture [PFF]). Results Thirty-seven studies were identified. Substantial heterogeneity in the quality of reporting, the methods used to assess usability, the devices used, and the aims of the studies precluded any meaningful comparisons. Questionnaires were used in the majority of studies (70.3%; n = 26) with a reliance on intervention specific measures (n = 16; 61.5%). For those who used interviews (n = 17; 45.9%), no topic guides were provided, while methods of analysis were not reported in over a third of studies (n = 6; 35.3%). Conclusion Usability of wearable devices is a poorly measured and reported variable in chronic health conditions. Although the heterogeneity in how these devices are implemented implies acceptance, the patient voice should not be assumed. In the absence of being able to make specific usability conclusions, the results of this review instead recommends that future research needs to: (1) Conduct usability assessments as standard, irrespective of the cohort under investigation or the type of study undertaken. (2) Adhere to basic reporting standards (e.g. COREQ) including the basic details of the study. Full copies of any questionnaires and interview guides should be supplied through supplemental files. (3) Utilise mixed methods research to gather a more comprehensive understanding of usability than either qualitative or quantitative research alone will provide. (4) Use previously validated questionnaires alongside any intervention specific measures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T22:58:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c7e4a3c2e85f4ef08511ab5ed5d0984e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1743-0003 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T22:58:31Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation |
| spelling | doaj.art-c7e4a3c2e85f4ef08511ab5ed5d0984e2022-12-21T22:12:50ZengBMCJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1743-00032021-09-0118111710.1186/s12984-021-00931-2Assessing the usability of wearable devices to measure gait and physical activity in chronic conditions: a systematic reviewAlison Keogh0Rob Argent1Amy Anderson2Brian Caulfield3William Johnston4UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College DublinUCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College DublinHealth Service ExecutiveUCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College DublinUCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College DublinAbstract Background The World Health Organisation’s global strategy for digital health emphasises the importance of patient involvement. Understanding the usability and acceptability of wearable devices is a core component of this. However, usability assessments to date have focused predominantly on healthy adults. There is a need to understand the patient perspective of wearable devices in participants with chronic health conditions. Methods A systematic review was conducted to identify any study design that included a usability assessment of wearable devices to measure mobility, through gait and physical activity, within five cohorts with chronic conditions (Parkinson’s disease [PD], multiple sclerosis [MS], congestive heart failure, [CHF], chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder [COPD], and proximal femoral fracture [PFF]). Results Thirty-seven studies were identified. Substantial heterogeneity in the quality of reporting, the methods used to assess usability, the devices used, and the aims of the studies precluded any meaningful comparisons. Questionnaires were used in the majority of studies (70.3%; n = 26) with a reliance on intervention specific measures (n = 16; 61.5%). For those who used interviews (n = 17; 45.9%), no topic guides were provided, while methods of analysis were not reported in over a third of studies (n = 6; 35.3%). Conclusion Usability of wearable devices is a poorly measured and reported variable in chronic health conditions. Although the heterogeneity in how these devices are implemented implies acceptance, the patient voice should not be assumed. In the absence of being able to make specific usability conclusions, the results of this review instead recommends that future research needs to: (1) Conduct usability assessments as standard, irrespective of the cohort under investigation or the type of study undertaken. (2) Adhere to basic reporting standards (e.g. COREQ) including the basic details of the study. Full copies of any questionnaires and interview guides should be supplied through supplemental files. (3) Utilise mixed methods research to gather a more comprehensive understanding of usability than either qualitative or quantitative research alone will provide. (4) Use previously validated questionnaires alongside any intervention specific measures.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-021-00931-2UsabilityWearable sensorsGaitPhysical activityUser experience |
| spellingShingle | Alison Keogh Rob Argent Amy Anderson Brian Caulfield William Johnston Assessing the usability of wearable devices to measure gait and physical activity in chronic conditions: a systematic review Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation Usability Wearable sensors Gait Physical activity User experience |
| title | Assessing the usability of wearable devices to measure gait and physical activity in chronic conditions: a systematic review |
| title_full | Assessing the usability of wearable devices to measure gait and physical activity in chronic conditions: a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the usability of wearable devices to measure gait and physical activity in chronic conditions: a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the usability of wearable devices to measure gait and physical activity in chronic conditions: a systematic review |
| title_short | Assessing the usability of wearable devices to measure gait and physical activity in chronic conditions: a systematic review |
| title_sort | assessing the usability of wearable devices to measure gait and physical activity in chronic conditions a systematic review |
| topic | Usability Wearable sensors Gait Physical activity User experience |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-021-00931-2 |
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