Smartwatch-Based Interventions for People With Dementia: User-Centered Design Approach.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Assistive Technology

Background:

• Assistive technologies can support daily activities for individuals with dementia.
• A gap exists between the potential and actual use of these technologies.
• Involving end-users in development is crucial, but its impact on people with dementia requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the feasibility of user-centered development for smartwatch interventions with people with dementia.
• To evaluate the plausibility and helpfulness of user feedback for technological improvements.

Main Methods:

• Examined smartwatch interactions with individuals with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
• Participants completed tasks (drinking water, cognitive task) with remote prompts.
• User feedback on usability, design, and usefulness was collected via questionnaires and qualitative analysis.

Main Results:

• High ratings for usability (mean 78/100) and usefulness (mean 9/12).
• Smartwatch design was appealing to most participants (76%).
• User feedback was generally plausible, with most participants aware of task performance.

Conclusions:

• People with dementia can have positive experiences with smartwatches.
• User feedback from this population is valuable for refining assistive technologies.
• Collaborative development prioritizes functional and non-functional feature development.