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. 2020 Jul 17;17(14):5153.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph17145153.

Designing ICTs for Users with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Usability Study

Diana Castilla  1   2 , Carlos Suso-Ribera  3 , Irene Zaragoza  2 , Azucena Garcia-Palacios  3 , Cristina Botella  3
Affiliations

Designing ICTs for Users with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Usability Study

Diana Castilla et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Research has supported the cost-effectiveness of cognitive training tools enhanced by information and communication technologies (ICT) in several populations, including individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and age-related cognitive decline. The implementation of ICTs in this population, however, is sometimes challenging to their cognitive and age characteristics. Ultimately, this might compromise the effectiveness of ICT-enhanced therapies in this population. The aim of this study is to test the usability and acceptability of a European project prototype for elderly care, in an attempt to explore the ICT design needs of users with MCI.

Methods: Participants were 28 individuals aged 58-95 years and with a diagnosis of MCI.

Results: The results showed a low perception of peripheral elements and the need to place main interaction elements in the centre of the screen. The correlation between the general level of autonomy (daily life activities) and the ICT autonomy level was significant and positive. The speed of audio help had a significant impact on performance.

Conclusion: The present work contributes to the literature on ICT usability needs of users with MCI. Some usability recommendations for designing interfaces for this type of user are provided in the text.

Keywords: ICT; cognitive decline; cognitive impairment; elderly; speech interfaces; usability.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure A1
Figure A1
Usability problem on tablets due logic keyboard.
Figure A2
Figure A2
Set-up during usability testing.
Figure A3
Figure A3
Diagram of iterative cycles performed in the usability test.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Troubles found due to very long pulsations. (a) Text label button selected due to very long pulsation. (b) Secondary button activated (copy) instead clicking on the main action button (the green arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Graphic user interface (GUI) colour change in bottom interaction area. (a) Original design. (b) Modified design.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Final graphic user interface.
Figure 4
Figure 4
NASA task work load index results.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Average of usability variables.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Estimated number of training sessions to use the system in an autonomous way.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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