Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies
Date Submitted: Dec 12, 2020
Date Accepted: Apr 11, 2021
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Technology Acceptance and Usability of the Brain FX® Screen in Canadian Military Members and Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Mixed Methods UTAUT Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) service members (SMs) and veterans exhibit higher rates of injuries and illnesses such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can cause and exacerbate cognitive dysfunction. Computerized neurocognitive assessment tools (NCATs) have demonstrated increased reliability and efficiency compared to traditional cognitive assessment tools. Without assessing the degree of technology acceptance and perception of usability to the end users, it is difficult to know if a technology-based assessment will be used successfully in wider clinical practice. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model is commonly utilized to address technology acceptance and usability of applications in 5 constructs.
Objective:
To determine the technology acceptance and usability of a NCAT, titled the Brain FX® Screen, by CAF-SMs and veterans with PTSD utilizing the UTAUT model.
Methods:
This mixed-methods embedded pilot study had CAF-SMs and veterans (n=21) 18-60 years of age with a diagnosis of PTSD complete pre/post questionnaires on the same day the Brain FX® Screen was utilized. A partial least square structural equation model was utilized to analyze questionnaire results. Qualitative data was assessed via thematic analysis.
Results:
Facilitating conditions, which was the most notable predictor of behavioural intention, increased after using the Brain FX® screen, while effort expectancy decreased. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social interaction were not factors in predicting behavioural intention.
Conclusions:
The Brain FX® Screen appears to be a feasible, usable, and accepted assessment tool for CAF-SMs and veterans who experience PTSD.
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