Usability engineering in practice: developing an intervention for post-stroke therapy during a global pandemic.

Area of Science:

• Medical device development
• Usability engineering
• Rehabilitation technology

Background:

• Traditional usability engineering methods for medical devices face challenges during global pandemics.
• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated adaptations to standard usability engineering processes.
• Remote methodologies were explored to ensure continued development and user feedback.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of usability engineering for medical devices, including pandemic adaptations.
• To present a case study of the Sheffield Adaptive Patterned Electrical Stimulation (SHAPES) project.
• To discuss challenges and benefits of adapting usability engineering for remote, at-home rehabilitation device development.

Main Methods:

• Overview of usability engineering principles and standards.
• Case study of the SHAPES project, focusing on adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Analysis of challenges (e.g., restricted travel, social distancing) and benefits (e.g., increased accessibility, flexibility) of remote usability engineering.

Main Results:

• The SHAPES project successfully adapted usability engineering for an at-home electronic rehabilitation device for stroke survivors.
• Challenges included logistical issues due to pandemic restrictions, while benefits included reduced travel and greater participant flexibility.
• Remote approaches facilitated easier involvement of vulnerable users and flexible feedback mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• A flexible approach to usability engineering is advocated for medical device development, especially in restricted circumstances.
• Adaptations to usability engineering can enhance user involvement and accommodate diverse participant needs.
• The SHAPES project demonstrates the feasibility and advantages of modified usability engineering in real-world, pandemic-affected settings.