Improving communication and promoting social inclusion for hearing-impaired users: Usability evaluation and design recommendations for assistive mobile applications.

This study examines the usability of communication-assistive applications for hearing-impaired users, with a focus on enhancing user experience and promoting social inclusion. Although such applications have been developed and evaluated previously, interface designs that consider the intimacy needs of hearing-impaired users remain under-explored. We performed a comprehensive usability evaluation employing a mixed-method approach, which involved hearing-impaired individuals as well as field experts. The findings revealed areas for improvement in the design, validated the feasibility of implementing these applications, and emphasized the importance of incorporating the unique needs and preferences of hearing-impaired users. Furthermore, this paper discusses the importance of introducing guidelines and evaluation scales for the "Design for Emotion and Life Knowledge" levels to facilitate smooth and effective human-computer interactions. Such measures will promote the development of intelligent assistive technologies that reflect the qualitative needs of people with disabilities and contribute to social rights for hearing-impaired users. With the growing demands of artificial-intelligence-powered assistive technologies, the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the design and research process is anticipated to increase. In future, studies should be conducted to blend the culturally shared experiences and emotional bonds expressed by users (having mild-to-severe hearing impairment) with the design and development process of assistive devices or services.

Designing Effective Visual Feedback for Facial Rehabilitation Exercises: Investigating the Role of Shape, Transparency, and Age on User Experience.

Facial expression recognition technology has been utilized both for entertainment purposes and as a valuable aid in rehabilitation and facial exercise assistance. This technology leverages artificial intelligence models to predict facial landmark points and provide visual feedback, thereby facilitating users' facial movements. However, feedback designs that disregard user preferences may cause discomfort and diminish the benefits of exercise. This study aimed to develop a feedback design guide for facial rehabilitation exercises by investigating user responses to various feedback design methods. We created a facial recognition mobile application and designed six feedback variations based on shape and transparency. To evaluate user experience, we conducted a usability test involving 48 participants (24 subjects in their 20s and 24 over 60 years of age), assessing factors such as feedback, assistance, disturbance, aesthetics, cognitive ease, and appropriateness. The experimental results revealed significant differences in transparency, age, and the interaction between transparency and age. Consequently, it is essential to consider both transparency and user age when designing facial recognition feedback. The findings of this study could potentially inform the design of more effective and personalized visual feedback for facial motion, ultimately benefiting users in rehabilitation and exercise contexts.

Exercise Management Using a Mobile App in Patients With Parkinsonism: Prospective, Open-Label, Single-Arm Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with parkinsonism have higher inactivity levels than the general population, and this results in increased comorbidities. Although exercise has benefits for motor function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with parkinsonism, these patients face many barriers to exercise participation, such as lack of motivation, fatigue, depression, and time constraints. Recently, the use of mobile apps has been highlighted as a remote exercise management strategy for patients with chronic diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of home-based exercise management with a customized mobile app on the exercise amount, physical activity, and QOL of patients with parkinsonism. METHODS: This was a prospective, open-label, single-arm pilot study. The therapist installed the app in the smartphones of the participants and educated them on how to use the app. The therapist developed an individualized multimodal exercise program that consisted of stretching, strengthening, aerobic, balance and coordination, and oral-motor and vocal exercises. Participants were encouraged to engage in an 8-week home-based exercise program delivered through a customized app. The alarm notifications of the app provided reminders to exercise regularly at home. The primary outcome was the exercise amount. The secondary outcomes were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The usability of the customized app was assessed using a self-report questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 21 participants with parkinsonism completed the intervention and assessment between September and December 2020 (mean age: 72 years; women: 17/21, 81%; men: 4/21, 19%). The participants reported a significant increase in the total amount of exercise (baseline: mean 343.33, SD 206.70 min/week; 8-week follow-up: mean 693.10, SD 373.45 min/week; P<.001) and in the amount of each exercise component, including stretching, strengthening, balance and coordination, and oral-motor and vocal exercise after 8 weeks. Analysis of the secondary outcomes revealed significant improvements in the IPAQ (P=.006), PDQ-39 (P=.02), and GDS (P=.04) scores. The usability of the program with the mobile app was verified based on the positive responses such as "intention to use" and "role expectation for rehabilitation." CONCLUSIONS: Exercise management with a customized mobile app may be beneficial for improving exercise adherence, physical activity levels, depression management, and QOL in patients with parkinsonism. This remotely supervised technology-based, reinforcing, and multimodal exercise management strategy is recommended for use in patients with parkinsonism. In addition, this program proved useful as an alternative exercise management strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic when patients with Parkinson disease were less physically active than before and showed aggravation of symptoms. However, additional clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this exercise program in a large population and to confirm its disease-modifying effects.