Evaluating the usability of a smartphone virtual seating coach application for powered wheelchair users. Issue 6 (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Yu-Kuang; Liu, Hsin-Yi; Kelleher, Annmarie; Pearlman, Jonathan; Cooper, Rory A.
• Is Part Of: Medical engineering & physics. Volume 38:Issue 6(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 569
• Page End: 575
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Wheelchair -- Smartphone -- Accelerometer; SVSC Smartphone Virtual Seating Coach -- PSFs Powered Seating Functions; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Biomedical Engineering -- Periodicals; Physics -- Periodicals; Génie biomédical -- Périodiques; Biomedical engineering; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2016.03.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4533

Abstract

Highlights: Clear and understandable instructions to adjust the powered seat functions are the most important part on the usability design for this smartphone virtual seating coach app for powered wheelchair users. The instructions must be intuitive such as using animations or indications of powered seat functions control buttons so powered wheelchair users can adjust their PSFs immediately and appropriately. Abstract: The aim of the smartphone virtual seating coach (SVSC) was to provide a personalized reminder/warning system to encourage powered wheelchair users to use their powered seating functions (PSFs) as clinically recommended. This study evaluated the usability of the SVSC system by gathering feedback from five powered wheelchair users and five rehabilitation professionals through questionnaires and interviews. The results indicated that clear and understandable instructions to adjust the PSFs are the most important requirement for SVSC application. The instructions must be intuitive, could benefit from animations or indications of PSFs control buttons so powered wheelchair users can adjust their PSFs immediately and appropriately.