Measure It Super Simple (MISS) activity tracker: (re)design of a user-friendly interface and evaluation of experiences in daily life

Darcy Ummels; Susy Braun; An Stevens; Emmylou Beekman; Anna Beurskens

doi:10.1080/17483107.2020.1815089

Measure It Super Simple (MISS) activity tracker: (re)design of a user-friendly interface and evaluation of experiences in daily life

Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2022 Oct;17(7):767-777. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1815089. Epub 2020 Sep 24.

Authors

Darcy Ummels^{1

2

3}, Susy Braun^{4

5}, An Stevens⁶, Emmylou Beekman^{1

2}, Anna Beurskens²

Affiliations

¹ Research Centre for Autonomy and Participation of Persons with a Chronic Illness, academy for speech and language therapy, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
² Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
³ ParaMedisch Centrum Zuid, Sittard, The Netherlands.
⁴ Research Centre for Nutrition, Lifestyle and Exercise, Academy for physiotherapy, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Health Service Research, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
⁶ Instrument Development, Engineering and Evaluation, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

PMID: 32970493
DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1815089

Abstract

Purpose: The purposes of this study were, first, to (re)design the user-interface of the activity tracker known as the MOX with the help of input from elderly individuals living independently and, second, to assess the use of and experiences with the adapted Measure It Super Simple (MISS) activity tracker in daily life.

Methods: The double diamond method, which was used to (re)design the user-interface, consists of four phases: discover, define, develop, and deliver. As a departure point, this study used a list of general design requirements that facilitate the development of technology for the elderly. Usage and experiences were assessed through interviews after elderly individuals had used the activity tracker for 2 weeks.

Results: In co-creation with thirty-five elderly individuals (65 to 89-years-old) the design, feedback system, and application were further developed into a user-friendly interface: the Measure It Super Simple (MISS) activity. Twenty-eight elderly individuals (65 to 78-years-old) reported that they found the MISS activity easy to use, needed limited help when setting the tracker up, and required limited assistance when using it during their daily lives.

Conclusions: This study offers a generic structured methodology and a list of design requirements to adapt the interface of an existing activity tracker consistent with the skills and needs of the elderly. The MISS activity seemed to be successfully (re)designed, like the elderly who participated in this pilot study reported that anyone should be able to use it.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis study provides an overview of important characteristics of the activity tracker interface for elderly individuals that can be used when choosing an appropriate activity tracker.This study can serve as a model that demonstrates how to adapt other eHealth and mHealth tools to improve the user-centred design.The MISS activity seems to be an elderly-friendly activity tracker that can facilitate a meaningful experience.

Keywords: Wearable; elderly; experiences; interface; user-centred.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Fitness Trackers*
Humans
Pilot Projects
Telemedicine*