Usability of a Low-Cost Head Tracking Computer Access Method following Stroke.
Jasmine Mah1, Jeffrey W Jutai1, Hillel Finestone2,3,4
1a Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences , University of Ottawa , Ottawa , Canada.
Assistive Technology : the Official Journal of RESNA
|October 3, 2015
Summary
The Nouse™ device, a hands-free computer access tool, shows promise for stroke survivors with upper limb impairments. While effective for many tasks, further research is needed to confirm its overall utility compared to other assistive technologies.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Assistive technology is crucial for social reintegration and independence in stroke survivors.
- Upper limb motor impairments post-stroke often limit computer access.
- Hands-free computer access can significantly enhance quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the usefulness and acceptability of the Nouse™ (Nose-as-mouse) device.
- To assess the feasibility of hands-free computer operation for stroke rehabilitation patients.
- To identify potential benefits and limitations of the Nouse™ for computer access.
Main Methods:
- Explored the Nouse™ device, which uses webcam and video recognition to control a computer cursor via nose movement.
- Ten participants undergoing stroke rehabilitation performed standardized and everyday computer tasks.
- Assessed task completion rates and usability through questionnaires.
Main Results:
- High task completion rates (90%) were observed for computer activities without time constraints.
- Seventy percent of participants found the Nouse™ easy to use, and 60% liked using it.
- Participants could resume most usual computer activities, except for word processing.
Conclusions:
- Hands-free devices like Nouse™ offer a viable computer access option for motivated stroke survivors with upper motor impairments.
- The Nouse™ demonstrates potential for restoring personal computing engagement post-stroke.
- Further research is required to compare Nouse™ effectiveness against existing assistive technologies for computer access.
