Assessment of non-directed computer-use behaviours in the home can indicate early cognitive impairment: A proof of principle longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: Computer-use behaviours can provide useful information about an individual's cognitive and functional abilities. However, little research has evaluated unaided and non-directed home computer-use. In this proof of principle study, we explored whether computer-use behaviours recorded during routine home computer-use i) could discriminate between individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI); ii) were associated with cognitive and functional scores; and iii) changed over time. METHODS: Thirty-two participants with SCD (n = 18) or MCI (n = 14) (mean age = 72.53 years; female n = 19) participated in a longitudinal study in which their in-home computer-use behaviour was passively recorded over 7-9 months. Cognitive and functional assessments were completed at three time points: baseline; mid-point (4.5 months); and end point (month 7 to 9). RESULTS: Individuals with MCI had significantly slower keystroke speed and spent less time on the computer than individuals with SCD. More time spent on the computer was associated with better task switching abilities. Faster keystroke speed was associated with better visual attention, recall, recognition, task inhibition, and task switching. No significant change in computer-use behaviour was detected over the study period. CONCLUSION: Passive monitoring of computer-use behaviour shows potential as an indicator of cognitive abilities, and can differentiate between people with SCD and MCI. Future studies should attempt to monitor computer-use behaviours over a longer time period to capture the onset of cognitive decline, and thus could inform timely therapeutic interventions.Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2022.2036946.

Simulation-based evaluation of an in-vehicle smart situation awareness enhancement system.

Situation awareness (SA) constitutes a critical factor in road safety, strongly related to accidents. This paper describes the evaluation of a proposed SA enhancement system (SAES) that exploits augmented reality through a head-up display (HUD). Two SAES designs were evaluation (information rich vs. minimal information) using a custom-made simulator and the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique with performance and EEG measures. The paper describes the process of assessing the SA of drivers using the SAES, through a series of experiments with participants in a Cave Automatic Virtual Environment. The effectiveness of the SAES was tested in a within-group research design. The results showed that the information rich (radar-style display) was superior to the minimal (arrow hazard indicator) design and that both SAES improved drivers' SA and performance compared to the control (no HUD) design. Practitioner Summary: Even though driver situation awareness is considered as one of the leading causes of road accidents, little has been done to enhance it. The current study demonstrates the positive effect of a proposed situation awareness enhancement system on driver situation awareness, through an experiment using virtual prototyping in a simulator.

Value-based requirements engineering: method and experience.

'Socio-political' issues, such as emotions, values and people's feelings, are often cited as problems in the RE process. A method is described for analysing such issues. The method consists of a taxonomy of stakeholders' values, motivations and emotions (VME), with process guidance for eliciting and analysing these issues for the RE process and design implications. Values are personal attitudes or long-term beliefs which may influence stakeholder functional and non-functional requirements. Motivations are psychological constructs related to personality traits which may be viewed as stakeholders' long-term goals in RE. Emotions are cues to stakeholders' reactions arising from value/motivation conflicts. The method is supported by a website which illustrates the taxonomy with explanations and scenarios describing problems arising from value conflicts, and from poor understanding of stakeholder values. Two method validation studies were undertaken: first, an evaluation of the website and method by novices and RE experts; and second, case study applications of RE value analysis in real-world industrial practice. The method was used by all practitioners, although in different ways, some used it to create an agenda of issues for analysis while others employed the VMEs to interpret stakeholders' views and manage stakeholder negotiations. The validation studies provide evidence for the acceptability of the method for industrial practitioners, illustrating how value-related problems are identified and analysed effectively by the method. The utility of analysing VMEs is compared to other 'socio-political issues'-oriented methods in RE and methods which focus on monetized values in product requirements.

Which computer-use behaviours are most indicative of cognitive decline? Insights from an expert reference group.

Computer use is becoming ubiquitous among older adults. As computer use depends on complex cognitive functions, measuring individuals' computer-use behaviours over time may provide a way to detect changes in their cognitive functioning. However, it is uncertain which computer-use behaviour changes are most likely to be associated with declines of particular cognitive functions. To address this, we convened six experts from clinical and cognitive neurosciences to take part in two workshops and a follow-up survey to gain consensus on which computer-use behaviours would likely be the strongest indicators of cognitive decline. This resulted in a list of 21 computer-use behaviours that the majority of experts agreed would offer a 'strong indication' of decline in a specific cognitive function, across Memory, Executive function, Language and Perception and Action domains. This list enables a hypothesis-driven approach to analysing computer-use behaviours predicted to be markers of cognitive decline.

Investigating the usability of a screen reader and mental models of blind users in the Windows environment.

The study explored blind users' mental models and strategies in coping with the Windows environment and investigated the relationship between users' mental models and usability problems they face when using a screen reader. The study found that blind users possess a functional or structural mental model or a combination thereof. Blind users also have a rich and highly procedural strategy for coping with a new Windows environment and application. Users' established mental models developed from using a familiar screen reader were found to contribute to problems in using a new screen reader.

Relationships and the social brain: integrating psychological and evolutionary perspectives.

Psychological studies of relationships tend to focus on specific types of close personal relationships (romantic, parent-offspring, friendship) and examine characteristics of both the individuals and the dyad. This paper looks more broadly at the wider range of relationships that constitute an individual's personal social world. Recent work on the composition of personal social networks suggests that they consist of a series of layers that differ in the quality and quantity of relationships involved. Each layer increases relationship numbers by an approximate multiple of 3 (5-15-50-150) but decreasing levels of intimacy (strong, medium, and weak ties) and frequency of interaction. To account for these regularities, we draw on both social and evolutionary psychology to argue that relationships at different layers serve different functions and have different cost-benefit profiles. At each layer, the benefits are asymptotic but the costs of maintaining a relationship at that level (most obviously, the time that has to be invested in servicing it) are roughly linear with the number of relationships. The trade-off between costs and benefits at a given level, and across the different types of demands and resources typical of different levels, gives rise to a distribution of social effort that generates and maintains a hierarchy of layered sets of relationships within social networks. We suggest that, psychologically, these trade-offs are related to the level of trust in a relationship, and that this is itself a function of the time invested in the relationship.

User engagement by user-centred design in e-Health.

This paper describes the application of user-centred design (UCD) methods and a user engagement (UE) approach to a case study development of a visualization tool (ADVISES) to support epidemiological research. The combined UCD/UE approach consisted of scenario-based design, and analysis of the users' tasks and mental model of the domain. Prototyping and storyboarding techniques were used to explore design options with users as well as specifying functionality for two versions of the software to meet the needs of novice and expert users. An evaluation of the prototype was carried out to assess the extent to which the expert model would support public health professionals in their analysis activities. The results of the design exploration requirements analysis study are reported. The implications of scenario-based design exploration, participatory design and user engagement are discussed.

A pilot study exploring electronic (or e-mail) mail in users with acquired cognitive-linguistic impairments.

This paper reports the results of an exploratory study into the usability of a simplified e-mail interface for eight individuals with acquired cognitive-linguistic impairments. Participatory Action Research, a qualitative research method, was used to capture the range of performance variables and to emphasize a 'user-centred' approach to the research process. The participants were asked to read and reply to e-mails across four writing prompt conditions. An analysis of errors and participant preferences for the prototype e-mail system was conducted. Errors fell into two general categories: (1) computer usability (e.g. conceptual understanding of mouse/cursor operation) and (2) message composition (e.g. generating ideas for a message). Participant preferences for the writing prompt conditions varied considerably. All participants endorsed the use of customized e-mail interfaces as a means of connecting with friends and family, thereby reducing social isolation. Implications for interface design, rehabilitation and future research into assistive technology are discussed.