A.G. Silva1, A.I. Martins1, C. Diehl2, T. Silva3, Ó. Ribeiro3, A.M. Almeida3, G. Santinha3, N.P. Rocha3
1University of Aveiro, CINTESIS.UA@RISE, School of Health Sciences, Aveiro, Portugal, 2University of Aveiro, CINTESIS.UA@RISE and DigiMedia, Aveiro, Portugal, 3University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
Background: Promoting active aging is of uttermost importance as the number of older adults continues to rise. Research has shown that physical activity and cognitive training play an important role in preventing cognitive and physical decline, which threatens independence and autonomy. Technology-mediated physical activity requires both physical and cognitive abilities while being interactive and pleasant. One of the most popular forms of promoting physical activity using technology involves dancing. However, most available games are not designed or tested with older adults.
Purpose: To design a web-based dance interface for older adults and pilot test its usability, acceptability and safety of use for community-dwelling older adults.
Methods: This study comprises two phases: 1) the development and preliminary testing of the web-based dance interface with researchers and health professionals, and 2) testing of the final solution by older adults.
Phase 1: a multidisciplinary research team led by a physiotherapist developed 4 non-functional mock-ups of the system; the pros and cons of each mock-up were discussed and 2 were eliminated; the other two were transformed into functional mock-ups and assessed by an external group of physiotherapists and psychologists, resulting in the choice of the mock-up that was transformed into a functional prototype (consisted of an interface with 4 arrows, each in a different direction appearing in the screen at a pre-specified velocity dictating the corresponding arrow that participants should step on a mat acting as an external device).
Phase 2: the final web-based system was assessed for usability with older adults both in a laboratory-based single session and, then, at home for up to 8 weeks. In the laboratory, older adults reported on the usability of the system using the System Usability Scale (SUS; 0-100), three questions of the technology acceptance model (TAM; 0-21), and an overall satisfaction rating question (0-10). Adverse events were assessed weekly for 8 weeks by a phone call and acceptability at 8 weeks through interview.
Phase 1: a multidisciplinary research team led by a physiotherapist developed 4 non-functional mock-ups of the system; the pros and cons of each mock-up were discussed and 2 were eliminated; the other two were transformed into functional mock-ups and assessed by an external group of physiotherapists and psychologists, resulting in the choice of the mock-up that was transformed into a functional prototype (consisted of an interface with 4 arrows, each in a different direction appearing in the screen at a pre-specified velocity dictating the corresponding arrow that participants should step on a mat acting as an external device).
Phase 2: the final web-based system was assessed for usability with older adults both in a laboratory-based single session and, then, at home for up to 8 weeks. In the laboratory, older adults reported on the usability of the system using the System Usability Scale (SUS; 0-100), three questions of the technology acceptance model (TAM; 0-21), and an overall satisfaction rating question (0-10). Adverse events were assessed weekly for 8 weeks by a phone call and acceptability at 8 weeks through interview.
Results: A total of 11 professionals were involved in the development of the web-based dance interface solution resulting in a functional system. Fourteen older adults (mean age±sd: 71.6±10.9 years old; 11 females) assessed the web-based dance interface in the laboratory. Mean scores on usability were 78.3±18.7 for SUS, 7,7±2,7 for the overall rating question and 16.0±5.2 for TAM, indicating good self-reported usability. In addition, 8 older adults used the system for up to 8-weeks, and reported no adverse events, and, that the system was easily integrated into their daily-life.
Conclusions: A web-based dance interface purposively developed for older adults in a user-centered and transdisciplinary approach can be safely used at home for physical and cognitive training. Further work is needed to assess the effectiveness of the digital solution developed.
Implications: Physiotherapists are valuable members of the team when developing and assessing digital solutions targeting the physical and cognitive function of older adults. The web-based interface might be easily used by physiotherapists to promote physical and cognitive training in the community.
Funding acknowledgements: SHAPES: Smart and Health Ageing through People Engaging in Supportive Systems, Horizon 2020, GA:857159 - SHAPES–H2020–SC1-FA-DTS–2018-2020.
Keywords:
Older adults
Tecnhology-mediated dance
Physical activity
Older adults
Tecnhology-mediated dance
Physical activity
Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Innovative technology: information management, big data and artificial intelligence
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Innovative technology: information management, big data and artificial intelligence
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Universidade de Aveiro
Committee: Conselho de Ética e Deontologia
Ethics number: 27-CED/2021
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
