Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Mar 18, 2025
Date Accepted: Sep 9, 2025
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited.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.
User Experiences of Limb-Worn Wearable Devices for Monitoring Parkinson's Disease Motor Function and Blood Pressure: A Usability Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Wearable devices have the potential to provide reliable and objective assessment and monitoring of Parkinson’s disease (PD). During design, there is often a focus on technical performance, accuracy, and reliability, with less emphasis on the user experience.This is particularly important for devices that may be worn long-term, as part of daily living.
Objective:
This study explored the user experience of a novel prototype wearable device (wrist- and ankle-worn) to record limb movements (accelerations, angular velocities), and physiological data (e.g., photoplethysmography and heart rate information for estimation of blood pressure).
Methods:
This qualitative study used online semi-structured interviews with people with PD, following wearing prototype devices for 24 hours at home. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcripts were analysed using a hybrid deductive and inductive approach.
Results:
Six people with PD, aged 52-83 years, with an average disease duration of 8 years, took part in the study and were overall positive towards the device. The prototype was comfortable, but this was a lesser priority to them than robustness, the device not hindering their usual clothing choices (device size and/or outward projection), and adjustability for fit, including the need to switch to an elasticated strap. In particular, a discreet design was important, as some individuals may feel self-conscious about wearing visible condition-specific products, due to stigma. The ankle-worn device was perceived as unfamiliar and non-discrete, with some participants drawing negative associations. Desirable device technical features included symptom prediction, reminder prompts, and support for medication management. Despite concerns about stigma, the majority of participants were willing to wear PD-specific devices, believing that they could aid better symptom management.
Conclusions:
Wearable devices must be discrete, robust, comfortable, and easily applied, to promote adherence regardless of technical specifications.
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