Usability testing of tablet-based cognitive behavioral intervention application to improve a simple walking activity for older adults with arthritis fatigue

Training to use smart tablets to access reliable online health information in older adults' post-pandemic: A focused pilot intervention study

BACKGROUND

Older adults are becoming more accepting and interested in using digital technologies, but difficulties and barriers remain for accessing reliable health-related information. The purpose of this focused pilot intervention study was to: (1) understand older adults' firsthand experiences and challenges while using smart tablets post-COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) gather suggestions for age-appropriate training materials, preference of training materials, and resources to access reliable online health information.

METHODS

A focused pilot intervention study that involved training older adults to use smart tablets followed by focus group of a convenience sample of 13 older adults (65-85 years old; 91.6% female) on their experiences of using smart tablets.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis revealed three themes: tablets are convenient to access online information and older adults reported technical, security concerns, emotional and cognitive challenges regarding use of smart tablets. Older adults also requested one-on-one support, assistance, and topic specific learning for future training sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies should focus on providing detailed, clear instructions at an acceptable pace for older adults.

Tablet-based cognitive behavioral intervention to improve arthritis associated fatigue: A pilot study

This pilot study evaluated the effect of the tablet-based cognitive behavioral intervention ("Tab-CBI") on daily steps, fatigue, and self-efficacy. Tab-CBI combined simple walking and a cognitive behavioral approach. An experimental pretest-posttest repeated measures design was used with 24 older adults. RM-ANOVA results showed a significant group difference (Tab-CBI vs. Comparison), F (1, 22) = 2.25, p =0.048 and time difference (baseline vs. week 4 vs. week 6), F (2, 44) =5.04, p =0.01 in daily steps. There was no significant group difference, F (1, 22) = 2.99, p =0.09, but significant time difference existed, F (2, 44) =2.65, p =0.04 in the PROMIS Fatigue scores. In the PROMIS Self-efficacy scores, no significant group difference, F (1, 22) = 0.02, p =0.90) was found, but significant time difference existed, F (2, 44) =3.27, p = 0.04. The findings provide preliminary evidence for the positive impact of Tab-CBI, but should be interpreted cautiously.

Image Effect Observation of Acanthopanax senticosus on Antifatigue Activity after Exercise

In order to explore the effect of Acanthopanax senticosus on antifatigue activity after exercise, this paper proposes an image effect observation based on the effect of Acanthopanax senticosus on antifatigue activity after exercise. This method recommends key technical problems and solutions based on the information represented by image effect observation and explores the influence of Acanthopanax senticosus on antifatigue after exercise. Through the retrospective analysis of certain personnel, it is shown that the image effect observation based on the influence of Acanthopanax senticosus on the antifatigue activity after exercise is about 25% more accurate than the traditional method. Most of the active ingredients of Acanthopanax senticosus have phenolic hydroxyl groups, which can resist oxidation, fatigue, focus attention, and reduce work mistakes. This experiment shows that after sleep deprivation, the antioxidant capacity of the body decreases with time. Acanthopanax senticosus extract can significantly improve the above symptoms and fight fatigue.

Usability engineering in practice: developing an intervention for post-stroke therapy during a global pandemic

This paper provides an overview of the usability engineering process and relevant standards informing the development of medical devices, together with adaptations to accommodate situations such as global pandemics where use of traditional face-to-face methods is restricted. To highlight some of those adaptations, a case study of a project developing a novel electronic rehabilitation device is referenced, which commenced in November 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sheffield Adaptive Patterned Electrical Stimulation (SHAPES) project, led by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH), aimed to design, manufacture and trial an intervention for use to treat upper arm spasticity after stroke. Presented is an outline and discussion of the challenges experienced in developing the SHAPES health technology intended for at-home use by stroke survivors and in implementing usability engineering approaches. Also highlighted, are the benefits that arose, which can offer easier involvement of vulnerable users and add flexibility in the ways that user feedback is sought. Challenges included: restricted travel; access to usual prototyping facilities; social distancing; infection prevention and control; availability of components; and changing work pressures and demands. Whereas benefits include: less travel; less time commitment; and greater scope for participants with restricted mobility to participate in the process. The paper advocates a more flexible approach to usability engineering and outlines the onward path for development and trialling of the SHAPES technology.