Abstract
BackgroundA mobile health (mHealth) system called iMHere (interactive mobile health and rehabilitation) was developed to support individuals with chronic conditions and disability in their self-management regimens. The initial design of iMHere, however, lacked sufficient accessibility for users with a myriad of dexterity impairments. The accessibility of self-management apps is essential in ensuring usability.ObjectiveThis study aims to increase the usability of the iMHere system for users with dexterity impairments by increasing the app’s accessibility.MethodsWe targeted the accessibility redesign by focusing on the physical presentation and the navigability of the iMHere apps. Six participants presenting with dexterity impairments were included in the usability study of the original and redesigned apps.ResultsWe observed a lower number of touches needed to complete tasks (P=.09) and time to complete individual tasks (P=.06) with the redesigned app than with the original app; a significantly lower time for users to complete all tasks (P=.006); and a significantly lower error rate (P=.01) with the redesigned app than with the original app. In fact, no errors occurred with use of the redesigned app. Participant-reported overall average usability of the redesigned app (P=.007) and usability of individual modules (P<.001) were significantly higher than that of the original app due mostly to better ease of use and learnability, interface quality, and reliability.ConclusionsImproved usability was achieved using a redesigned app. This study offers insight into the importance of personalization in enhancing the accessibility and also identifies strategies for improving usability in app development.
Highlights
Mobile health technologies, an emergent form of treatment support, offer a variety of health services and information through mobile devices such as phones and tablets [1,2]
This study offers insight into the importance of personalization in enhancing the accessibility and identifies strategies for improving usability in app development. (JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2019;7(1):e202) doi:10.2196/mhealth
This is especially true for individuals with conditions such as spina bifida (SB) and spinal cord injuries (SCI)—a population of 442,000 in the United States—because these individuals are susceptible to secondary complications such as urinary tract infections, constipation, skin breakdown, and sepsis [11,12,13]
Summary
Mobile health (mHealth) technologies, an emergent form of treatment support, offer a variety of health services and information through mobile devices such as phones and tablets [1,2]. Improving users’ self-management skills is of critical importance for improving health outcomes and fostering independent living in persons with disabilities (PwDs) [8,9,10] This is especially true for individuals with conditions such as spina bifida (SB) and spinal cord injuries (SCI)—a population of 442,000 in the United States—because these individuals are susceptible to secondary complications such as urinary tract infections, constipation, skin breakdown (due to paralysis and loss of sensation), and sepsis [11,12,13]. The accessibility of self-management apps is essential in ensuring usability
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