Usability, occupational performance and satisfaction evaluation of a smart environment controlled by infrared oculography by people with severe motor disabilities

PLoS One. 2021 Aug 13;16(8):e0256062. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256062. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

A smart environment is an assistive technology space that can enable people with motor disabilities to control their equipment (TV, radio, fan, etc.) through a human-machine interface activated by different inputs. However, assistive technology resources are not always considered useful, reaching quite high abandonment rate. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a smart environment controlled through infrared oculography by people with severe motor disabilities. The study sample was composed of six individuals with motor disabilities. Initially, sociodemographic data forms, the Functional Independence Measure (FIMTM), and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) were applied. The participants used the system in their domestic environment for a week. Afterwards, they were reevaluated with regards to occupational performance (COPM), satisfaction with the use of the assistive technology resource (QUEST 2.0), psychosocial impact (PIADS) and usability of the system (SUS), as well as through semi-structured interviews for suggestions or complaints. The most common demand from the participants of this research was 'control of the TV'. Two participants did not use the system. All participants who used the system (four) presented positive results in all assessment protocols, evidencing greater independence in the control of the smart environment equipment. In addition, they evaluated the system as useful and with good usability. Non-acceptance of disability and lack of social support may have influenced the results.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / pathology
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / psychology
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / rehabilitation*
  • Brain-Computer Interfaces / standards*
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Disabled Persons / psychology*
  • Disabled Persons / rehabilitation
  • Environment
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Independent Living / standards*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Therapy / methods*
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Self-Help Devices / statistics & numerical data*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / psychology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / rehabilitation*

Grants and funding

AB and TBF received an award in Google Research Awards for Latin America, of Google Inc. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.