Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Dec 19, 2020
Date Accepted: Jul 5, 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Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited.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.
Usability, acceptability, and satisfaction of a wearable activity tracker in older adults: an observational study in a real-life context.
ABSTRACT
Background:
The use of activity trackers has significantly increased over the last few years. This technology has the potential to improve the levels of physical activity and health-related behaviors in older adults. However, despite the potential benefits, the rate of adoption is low among older adults. Therefore, understanding how technology is perceived may potentially offer insight to promote its use.
Objective:
To assess acceptability, usability, and user satisfaction with Xiaomi Mi Band 2® in Portuguese community-dwelling older adults in a real-world context. Additionally, we aim to explore the mediating effect of usability on satisfaction and user characteristics' moderating effect on usability and user satisfaction.
Methods:
Older adults used the Xiaomi Mi Band 2® over 15 days. The user experience was evaluated through the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM 3), System Usability Scale (SUS), and User Satisfaction Evaluation Questionnaire (USEQ). An integrated framework for usability and user satisfaction was used to explore user experience. Statistical data analysis included descriptive data analysis, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and mediation and moderation analysis.
Results:
A sample of 110 older adults with an average of 68.4 years old (SD = 3.58) completed the user experience questionnaires. User acceptance was very high [ PEOU= 6.45 (SD ± 0.78), PEC = 6.74 (SD ± 0.55), CANX= 6.85 (SD ± 0.47), 6.60 (SD ± 0.97)]. The usability was excellent with an average score of 92.70 (SD ± 10.73), and user satisfaction was classified as a good experience 23.30 (SD ± 2.40). The mediation analysis confirmed the direct positive effect of usability on satisfaction (β = 0.530; p < 0.01) and direct negative effect of depression on usability (β = -0.369; p < 0.01). Lastly, the indirect effect of usability on user satisfaction was higher in individuals with lower GDS levels and higher MMSE levels and only had a significant effect on older adults with lower education.
Conclusions:
Findings demonstrate that the Xiaomi Mi Band 2® is suitable for older adults. Furthermore, the results confirmed usability as a determinant of older satisfaction with the technology and extended the existing knowledge in wearable activity trackers in older adults.
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