Experience-based co-design of a smartphone app for post-stroke aphasia self-management: a process evaluation

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation research
• Human-computer interaction
• Assistive technology development

Background:

• Experience-based co-design (EBCD) is a method for involving patients and professionals in intervention design.
• Ensuring authentic engagement for adults with acquired communication disabilities requires specific strategies.
• This study evaluated the EBCD process for a novel self-management technology for post-stroke aphasia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the co-design process of a novel technology for post-stroke aphasia self-management.
• To assess co-designer involvement, engagement, experiences, and personal outcomes.
• To understand the perspectives of individuals with aphasia, family members, speech pathologists, and researchers.

Main Methods:

• A mixed methods process evaluation using a convergent-parallel design.
• 12 co-designers (including individuals with aphasia) participated in 15 EBCD workshops.
• Data collected through pre/post/mid-workshop surveys, interviews, and researcher reflections; analyzed using descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon tests, Framework Method, and qualitative content analysis.

Main Results:

• Co-designers reported positive experiences throughout the EBCD process.
• Participants felt their ideas were successfully integrated into the technology's interface design.
• Valuable suggestions for enhancing communication accessibility were generated.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with aphasia can meaningfully participate in experience-based co-design.
• Appropriate support measures are crucial for authentic engagement.
• EBCD is a viable method for developing user-centered assistive technologies.