User experience and acceptance of a device assisting persons with dementia in daily life: a multicenter field study

User experience and acceptance of a device assisting persons with dementia in daily life: a multicenter field study

Background Assistive technologies have the potential to facilitate everyday life of people with dementia and their families. Close collaboration with affected people and interdisciplinary research are essential to understand and address the needs of prospective users. In this study, we present the r...

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Published in:Aging clinical and experimental research Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 869 - 879
Main Authors: König, Theresa, Pigliautile, Martina, Águila, Oscar, Arambarri, Jon, Christophorou, Christophoros, Colombo, Matteo, Constantinides, Argyris, Curia, Rosario, Dankl, Kathrina, Hanke, Sten, Mayer, Christopher Clemens, Moritsch, Stefan, Müllner-Rieder, Markus, Pernkopf, Fritz, Schüler, Christian, Stillo, Maria, Mecocci, Patrizia, Stögmann, Elisabeth
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-04-2022
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Activities of daily living
Adaptive technology
Aging
Alzheimer's disease
Caregivers
Cognitive ability
Dementia
Dementia disorders
Field study
Geriatrics
Geriatrics/Gerontology
Gerontology
Industrial design
Interdisciplinary research
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Original
Original Article
Patients
Smartwatches
Usability
User experience
Wearable computers
Assistive technologies
Digital device
Usability testing
Independent living
Dementia
Cognitive impairment
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Summary:Background Assistive technologies have the potential to facilitate everyday life of people with dementia and their families. Close collaboration with affected people and interdisciplinary research are essential to understand and address the needs of prospective users. In this study, we present the results of the evaluation of such an assistive system prototype. Aims Challenges from the patient and caregiver side, technical and design problems and acceptance and usability with regard to our special target group were evaluated. Methods MEMENTO, a system of two e-ink tablets and a smartwatch, was tested in the domestic environment of dementia patients. Thirty participants from Italy, Spain and Austria took part in a 3-month field trial and compared the MEMENTO system to traditional strategies in everyday life. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected and frequency of use of the system was monitored. Results There were no significant changes in quantitative measurements, such as activities of daily living and caregiver burden over the duration of the 3-month field trial. More frequent usage was significantly correlated with positive attitude towards technology ( r  = 0.723, p  < 0.05), but not with age. The design of the system was positively emphasized, reducing fear of the technology on the one hand and stigmatization on the other. Conclusion We show that a positive attitude towards technology is the essential variable for successful implementation of such systems, regardless of age. Participants showed great interest in digital solutions and agreed that technological systems will help in maintaining independency of persons with cognitive dysfunction in the future.
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ISSN:1720-8319
1594-0667
1720-8319
DOI:10.1007/s40520-021-02013-8