iPad App Research Articles

Inhibitory control deficits in vascular cognitive impairment revealed using the Multi‐Item Localization (MILO) task

AbstractBackgroundReaction time (RT) in Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) is particularly slowed when assessed using tests of executive function, however, these tests do not reveal the integrity of specific functional subcomponents of information processing related to RT that are affected by VCI, thus limiting understanding of behavioural change, symptoms and disease progression. Pathological changes in white matter can be ‘silent’, on routine neuroimaging, and not all clinical tests may be sensitive to such effects, highlighting the importance of using of a wider range of tests than may be used at present. The Multi‐Item Localization (MILO) task is used to characterise the performance of mild/moderate VCI and is designed to explore the temporal context of visual search, in addition to measuring overall completion time, it provides a profile of serial reaction time (SRT) patterns across all items in a sequence. MILO assesses how well participants plan ahead during search, and whether items that have already been located can be effectively ignored (i.e., inhibited) identifying deficits in inhibitory control during search.MethodParticipant groups: VCI patients (n =26); cognitively healthy (CH) older adult control group (n=23); young adults (n=26). The MILO iPad app consisted of the digit sequence 1‐8, presented as red/white pool balls. Participants were required to tap each ball in consecutive order, quickly and accurately. In the Vanish condition, items were removed from the screen following the response. In the Remain condition, items were unaffected when touched and the set size were the same throughout a trial. Participants completed two blocks of 20 correct trials, one block of Vanish trials followed by one block of Remain trials.ResultsThe performance of VCI participants was characterised by overall slowing, increased error rates, and crucially, a compromised ability to use inhibitory tagging. Performance was compromised when items remained visible and have already been responded to, resulting in detrimental slowing of processing.ConclusionThe MILO task could be a useful tool for identifying non‐age‐related changes in behaviour with patient populations, and clearly hints at a specific inhibitory deficit in VCI.

Use of an iPad App (Aid for Decision-making in Occupational Choice) for Collaborative Goal Setting in Interprofessional Rehabilitation: Qualitative Descriptive Study.

BackgroundGoal setting is a key part of the rehabilitation process. The use of technology and electronic tools such as smartphone apps and websites has been suggested as a way of improving the engagement of users in meaningful goal setting and facilitating shared decision-making between patients and health professionals.ObjectiveThis study aims to describe experiences of health professionals and patients in the use of the English language version of the iPad app Aid for Decision-making in Occupational Choice (ADOC) to facilitate collaborative goal setting in rehabilitation.MethodsWe recruited participants from 3 acute and postacute care rehabilitation wards in both public and private organizations in New Zealand. Participants were registered allied health professionals, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language therapists, who engage in goal setting as part of their normal work, and their adult patients. We collected data via semistructured interviews to gather information about the experiences of the participants in the use of ADOC for goal setting. Data were analyzed with thematic analysis.ResultsA total of 8 health professionals and 8 patients participated in the study. Six main themes emerged from the data: changing patients’ perspective on what is possible, changing health professionals’ perspective on what is important, facilitating shared decision-making, lack of guides for users, logistic and organizational barriers, and app-related and technical issues.ConclusionsHealth professionals and patients found ADOC to be a valuable tool when setting shared rehabilitation goals. The use of ADOC promoted a patient-centered approach that empowered patients to engage in collaborative goal setting. The technological limitations of the app that negatively impacted experiences can be addressed in the future implementation of ADOC in rehabilitation settings.

Fostering Multilingual Children’s Language Development through iPad Apps

AbstractThis article shares a case study of a classroom of multicultural and multilingual children in an early childhood center to explore how iPad apps can support young children in learning English as an additional language. Situated in Sydney, Australia, this study found that iPad apps have the potential to promote 4‐ and 5‐year‐old children's language learning, including their vocabulary development. During the iPad sessions, the children were excited to engage with the app and share their relevant life experiences with their friends and their teacher. In this classroom, the lead teacher believed in the importance of iPad apps to encourage young children's language learning and multimodal meaning making. However, there was a disconnect between her beliefs and her practices, which suggests that targeted professional development could be instrumental in fostering early childhood educators’ ability to scaffold children's English language development with iPad apps.

Novel and Experimental Music Technology Use in the Music Classroom: Learning Performance, Experience, and Concentrated Behavior

In recent years, music technology in the classroom has relied on general devices such as the iPad. In the current study, we used a mixed-methods approach to examine the learning performance, learning experience, and behavior of two class groups of primary school music students (N = 42), using established music technology (i.e., the iPad with the Keyboard Touch Instrument app) and novel music technology (KAiKU Music Glove). Results show a significant difference of change in test scores during learning (p = <.01) and a medium effect-size is found (d = .75), indicating use of the iPad and Keyboard Touch Instrument app contributed to increased learning when compared to the KAiKU Music Glove. Perceived ease of use ratings of both technologies and observable levels of concentration exhibited by the students are also discussed in the paper. Implications provide insights into the usage and development of embodied music technology in the music classroom.

Adopting the “Explain EDU” Application Approach in Teaching Mathematics and Statistics

Interactive whiteboards (IWB) is known as one of the most revolutionary instructional technologies for various educational levels. One of the popular applications among educators that can be used as an extremely versatile interactive whiteboard is 'Explain EDU' (EEDU) application. EEDU works as a platform for borderless learning, sharing and collaborating using an IWB. It is an iPad app that is used to create dynamic lessons, presentations and other content that can be easily shared with others. Students who participated in this study are those from Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences who enrolled in a mathematics or statistics course at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Terengganu during the March – July 2019 semester. This study aims to gain insight on students' opinions and perspectives in learning Mathematics and Statistics subjects when being taught by using the EEDU application. The result suggests that the use of Explain EDU application in class for teaching does enhance students attitude towards learning mathematics or statistics course.
 Keywords: innovative teaching, interactive whiteboard, explain EDU application, iPad

Usability and Emotions of Mental Health Assessment Tools: Comparing Mobile App and Paper-and-Pencil Modalities

Users’ experiences in mental health assessment are multifaceted, including their emotional experiences. Yet, studies of mobile apps for psychiatric assessment have centered on diagnostic accuracy and perceived usability, with little consideration of the impact of user emotional experiences. In this study, we focused on users’ perceived usability and emotions and compared the user experience of a paper-and-pencil and an app-based collection of mental health screening questionnaires: EarlyDetect. The System Usability Scale (SUS) and modality-directed emotion questionnaires were administered using paper-and-pencil or iPad. Modality was assigned pseudo-randomly on patients’ first visit at a referral-based mental health clinic. We found that patients assigned to the iPad app reported a significantly higher SUS score than patients assigned to paper-and-pencil, qualified by a modality-by-gender interaction where modality effects were significant for men but not for women. Moreover, enjoyment was positively linked to perceived usability, whereas boredom, frustration, and anxiety were negatively linked to usability. Our findings illustrate the added value of studying user experience applied to psychiatric assessments, where both emotions and gender-specific user experience should be taken into consideration. We further discuss the implications for psychiatric assessments via app versus traditional data collection.

An mHealth App (Speech Banana) for Auditory Training: App Design and Development Study.

BackgroundWith the growing adult population using electronic hearing devices such as cochlear implants or hearing aids, there is an increasing worldwide need for auditory training (AT) to promote optimal device use. However, financial resources and scheduling conflicts make clinical AT infeasible.ObjectiveTo address this gap between need and accessibility, we primarily aimed to develop a mobile health (mHealth) app called Speech Banana for AT. The app would be substantially more affordable and portable than clinical AT; would deliver a validated training model that is reflective of modern techniques; and would track users’ progress in speech comprehension, providing greater continuity between periodic in-person visits. To improve international availability, our secondary aim was to implement the English language training model into Korean as a proof of concept for worldwide usability.MethodsA problem- and objective-centered Design Science Research Methodology approach was adopted to develop the Speech Banana app. A review of previous literature and computer-based learning programs outlined current AT gaps, whereas interviews with speech pathologists and users clarified the features that were addressed in the app. Past and present users were invited to evaluate the app via community forums and the System Usability Scale.ResultsSpeech Banana has been implemented in English and Korean languages for iPad and web use. The app comprises 38 lessons, which include analytic exercises pairing visual and auditory stimuli, and synthetic quizzes presenting auditory stimuli only. During quizzes, users type the sentence heard, and the app provides visual feedback on performance. Users may select a male or female speaker and the volume of background noise, allowing for training with a range of frequencies and signal-to-noise ratios. There were more than 3200 downloads of the English iPad app and almost 100 downloads of the Korean app; more than 100 users registered for the web apps. The English app received a System Usability Scale rating of “good” from 6 users, and the Korean app received a rating of “OK” from 16 users.ConclusionsSpeech Banana offers AT accessibility with a validated curriculum, allowing users to develop speech comprehension skills with the aid of a mobile device. This mHealth app holds potential as a supplement to clinical AT, particularly in this era of global telemedicine.

A deep learning computer vision iPad application for Sales Rep optimization in the field

Computer vision is becoming an increasingly critical area of research, and its applications to real-world problems are gaining significance. In this paper, we describe the design, development and evaluation of our computer vision Faster R-CNN iPad App for Sales Representatives in grocery store environments. Our system aims to assist Sales Reps to be more productive, reduce errors, and provide increased efficiencies. We report on the creation of the iPad app, the data capturing guidelines we created for the creation of good classifiers and the results of professional Sales Reps evaluating our system. Our system was tested in a variety of conditions in grocery store environments and has an accuracy of 99%, a System Usability Score usability score of 85 (high). It supports up to 40 classifiers running concurrently to perform product identification in less than 3.8 s. We also created a set of data capturing guidelines that will enable other researchers to create their own classifiers for these types of products in complex environments (e.g., products with very similar packaging located on shelves).

Open Area, Open Data: Advances in Reflexive Archaeological Practice

ABSTRACT This article presents a holistic and reflexive process for archaeological fieldwork from inception to publication. The opportunities afforded by maturing digital techniques allowed fundamental rethinking of field and laboratory practice paradigms. A number of normally unquestioned aspects of archaeological praxis were examined with the goal of reorganizing information dynamics. Instead of a series of disparate processes in the field and field laboratory and during study and publication phases, a heterarchically-organized common information framework bonded all aspects of work traditionally only brought together in post-excavation processing, replacing disparate datasets and encompassing ongoing processes such as excavation recording, finds processing, and final analyses. Recording uses a common interface based on the iDig iPad app, and analyses use 3D GIS, based on comprehensive photogrammetry and an underlying all-encompassing data engine. The development and application of the process are described with reference to the excavations, study, and publication of EBA sites on Keros, Cyclades, Greece.

Language Differentiation Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication: An Investigation of Spanish-English Bilingual Children With and Without Language Impairments.

Purpose Children with severe speech and language impairments growing up in dual language environments may communicate in more than one language using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This study investigated predictors of bilingual children's ability to differentiate between Spanish and English using an AAC iPad app during a cued language-switching task and examined whether switching between languages using AAC incurred a cognitive cost. Method Participants were 58 Spanish-English bilingual children ages 4;0-6;11 (years;months; 23 with language impairments). Children received standardized language and cognitive assessments and completed an experimental language-switching task in which they were asked to differentiate between languages using an AAC iPad app containing English and Spanish vocabulary layouts paired with voice output. Results Results of a binary logistic regression indicated that, when controlling for age, processing speed significantly predicted whether children were classified as high or low performers on the experimental task. Nonparametric tests indicated that switching between languages did not incur a cognitive cost as evidenced by similar response times on trials where participants were required to switch between languages compared to trials where they did not switch. Conclusion This study contributes to the understanding of how young bilingual children with and without language impairments conceptualize and discriminate between languages represented in a visual-graphic modality paired with speech output. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13289330.

Introducing Students to the Periodic Table Using a Descriptive Approach of Superheroes, Meats, and Fruits and Nuts

In some universities, there is a significant population of first year chemistry students who enter the system with very little prior knowledge of the subject. This, coupled with preconceived ideas of subject difficulty, necessitates that the introduction of key concepts is carried out in a nonthreatening, engaging, simplistic, and efficacious manner. The periodic table is one of the most important and fundamental tools and forms the base of the scaffold for all aspects of not only chemistry but all of the sciences. Traditionally, this is introduced in a historical manner which identifies various elemental properties and builds up the table through time, often highlighting key individuals. We have adopted a novel nonhistorical approach as a preintroduction to the formal periodic table to our first-year chemistry students. This introduction focuses on key characteristic aspects of the table construction, such as grouping objects using columns, rows, blocks, and color; numbering of objects; use of abbreviations for objects; combining individual objects; and transitioning across and down the table, e.g., size changes across and down the table. These features are demonstrated using a variety of pseudo “periodic tables”, including the Periodic Tables of iPad Apps, Fruit and Nuts, Meat, and Superheroes. The delivery of the various tables to introduce students to the chemical periodic table could be adopted (and appropriately adapted) to any level of the education system (from primary to tertiary levels). Feedback from students (n = 226) using the Likert scale showed the utilization of this form of introduction to be an effective way in teaching the various critical concepts of the periodic table.

What do patients with glaucoma see: a novel iPad app to improve glaucoma patient awareness of visual field loss

PurposeGlaucoma patients with peripheral vision loss have in the past subjectively described their field loss as ‘blurred’ or ‘no vision compromise’. We developed an iPad app for patients to self-characterise...

Comparing Spatial Release From Masking Using Traditional Methods and Portable Automated Rapid Testing iPad App.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare speech identification abilities of individuals of various ages and hearing abilities using traditional methods and Portable Automated Rapid Testing (PART) iPad app. Method Speech identification data were collected using three techniques: over headphones using a virtual speaker array, using PART iPad app (UCR Brain Game Center, 2018), and using loudspeaker presentation in a sound-attenuated room. For all three techniques, Coordinate Response Measure sentences were used as the stimuli and "Charlie" was used as the call sign. A progressive tracking procedure was used to estimate the speech identification thresholds for listeners with varying hearing thresholds. The target sentence was always presented at 0° azimuth angle, whereas the maskers were colocated (0°) with the target or symmetrically spatially separated by ±15°, ±30°, or ±45°. Results Data analysis revealed similar speech identification thresholds for the iPad and headphone conditions and slightly poorer thresholds for the loudspeaker array condition across participant groups. This was true for all spatial separations between the target and the maskers. Conclusion Strong correlation between the headphone and iPad data presented in this study indicated that the spatial release from masking module in the PART iPad app can be used as a clinical tool to assess spatial processing ability prior to audiologic evaluation in the clinic and can also be used to make recommendations for and to track progress with aural rehabilitation programs over time.

Cystic Fibrosis: A Pocket Guide

In 2010, an iPad app titled ‘A Patient’s Guide to Cystic Fibrosis’ was developed for use by Cystic Fibrosis (CF) clinical nurse specialists during a patient’s annual review. Feedback from pseudo-CF patients and NHS staff including CF clinical nurse specialists and respiratory consultants about the appearance, usability and content of the app and iPad interface, and the appropriateness of the app for CF patients was positive. The visual images, animations and interactive elements of the app were sufficient in providing an engaging experience for the user. The app was deemed suitable for patients and set a foundation for the development of comprehensive and interactive CF patient information learning tools. Since 2010, the prevalence and popularity of iPad apps in healthcare have soared and apps now have the capability to include more interactive touch-based experiences with digital content such as 3D models. The original iPad app was re-developed as an Apple iBook and an Android app titled ‘Cystic Fibrosis: A Pocket Guide’. This paper describes the design, development and feedback on the original iPad app and its subsequent variants, and concludes with reflections from the specialist CF nurses, who have continued to use pocket guide over 10 years.

205 - Building and Using an Apps Library for People Living with Dementia and their Carers

205 - Building and Using an Apps Library for People Living with Dementia and their Carers

Validation of the visual acuity iPad app Eye Chart Pro compared to the standard Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart in a low-vision population

Introduction A low-vision assessment (LVA) is central to developing a vision rehabilitation plan. However, access to LVAs is often limited by the quantity and geographic distribution of low-vision providers, as well as patient-centred transportation challenges. A tablet-based LVA tool kit, delivered virtually, has the potential to overcome many of these barriers. The purpose of this research was to validate a key component of the tablet-based tool kit – a commercially available iPad visual acuity (VA) test (Eye Chart Pro) iPad app – in a low-vision population. Methods Participants with low vision (n = 26) and those who were normally sighted (n = 25) underwent VA testing with both the iPad VA test application and the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. The VA data were compared using a t-test, linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis. Results There was no significant difference in the mean absolute difference in VA (log of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR)=0.11; p = 0.82). Eye Chart Pro and Standard ETDRS Chart measures were also not significantly different (p = 0.98). However, there were significant differences between test methods in the low-vision group and the normally sighted group (p > 0.0001 and p = 0.007, respectively). The Bland–Altman analysis showed a mean bias (difference) of –0.0005 logMAR between methods, and 95% limits of agreement of 0.298 and –0.299 logMAR. Discussion The ETDRS chart function on the Eye Chart Pro application can reliably measure VA across a range, from normally sighted patients to those with low vision.

Using an OSCE to assess the potential for assistive technology to enhance communication between student pharmacists and simulated patients who are deaf/hard of hearing

ObjectivesTo evaluate the usefulness of assistive technology in health care interactions between student pharmacists and simulated patients who are deaf/hard of hearing and to assess changes in confidence and comfort levels (among both groups) when using assistive technology. MethodsForty-nine second-year student pharmacists were enrolled in a pharmacy communication laboratory course and 8 undergraduate students were recruited during Fall 2019. The first communication laboratory interaction consisted of student pharmacists using their normal mode of communication with role-played patients who are deaf/hard of hearing to establish baseline measures; a pretest survey was administered to each participant at the conclusion of this 10-minute laboratory interaction. In the second laboratory interaction, student pharmacists used the app to assist in communicating with the simulated patients who are deaf/hard of hearing. Posttests were administered at the conclusion of this laboratory interaction. ResultsMost student pharmacists and simulated patients who are deaf/hard of hearing reported feeling able to effectively communicate their needs to the other individual in their dyad (pharmacist or patient) during their health care interactions. Using an iPad (Apple Inc) app to communicate significantly increased student pharmacist and simulated patient comfort with health care communication from preintervention to postintervention. ConclusionThe use of assistive technology in simulated communication laboratory interactions can enhance student pharmacist comfort in health care interactions with patients who are deaf/hard of hearing.

Effects of the iPad and mobile application-integrated physical education on children’s physical activity and psychosocial beliefs

ABSTRACT Background: Quality physical education (PE) lessons tap on the four focal areas: curriculum, instruction, policies and environment (National Association for Sport and Physical Education 2013. Quality Physical Education NASPE Resource Brief. Reston, VA: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance). One of the approaches to enhance the quality of PE is to use digital technologies, such as the iPad and mobile applications (apps), in the classes to facilitate teachers’ instruction and students’ learning process. Although literature discussing strategies and different types of apps employed in PE classes is available, studies investigating their effectiveness on students’ physical activity (PA) level and their PA-related beliefs are scarce. The national guidelines state that students meet the recommended moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) levels in PE, as children are not sufficiently active in PE classes. Recently, more PE teachers are integrating apps in their classes and, therefore, it is essential to examine whether app-integrated PE is effective in promoting children’s PA and PA-related psychosocial beliefs such as enjoyment and self-efficacy. Purpose: The study examined the short-term (two-week) effects of mobile app-integrated PE classes on children’s PA and their psychosocial beliefs. Methods: A total of 157 fourth and fifth grade children from two elementary schools in the Midwestern U.S. participated in this study in 2016. Four PE classes from one school (n = 77) served as the app-integrated group, while three classes from the comparison school (n = 80) participated as the traditional PE group. Three PE sessions were measured for both schools at baseline and post-test to examine children’s differences in PA levels and psychosocial beliefs. In the app-integrated lessons, teachers used the iPad and mobile apps to instruct during the post-test sessions. Children’s percentages of time spent in sedentary behavior, light PA, and MVPA during PE classes were measured via ActiGraph GTX3+ accelerometers. A battery of validated questionnaires were used to assess the children’s PA-related psychosocial beliefs (i.e. self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, social support, and enjoyment) in PE. Results: The changes in children’s PA were significantly different between the app-integrated and comparison groups in sedentary behavior (F (1,154) = 110.6, p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.42), light PA (F (1,154) = 97.7, p < 0.01, η 2 = 0.39), and MVPA (F (1,154) = 31.4, p < .01, η 2 = 0.17). Children in both groups demonstrated a decrease in their MVPA; however, the decrease in the app-integrated group was significantly greater than that of the comparison group (−1.6%). There were no significant differences in changes of all beliefs between the two groups. Conclusions: The short-term (two-week) app-integrated PE classes was ineffective in reducing children’s sedentary behavior and improving light PA, MVPA, and PA-related beliefs. Teachers are recommended to align the use of iPad and apps with the PE learning goals: selection of apps and pedagogy of app use need to be carefully thought out to prevent compromising children’s PA for the sake of efficient management or emphasis on other learning domains.

MILO Mobile: An iPad App to Measure Search Performance in Multi-Target Sequences.

This article introduces a mobile app version of the Multi-Item Localization (MILO) task. The MILO task was designed to explore the temporal context of search through a sequence and has proven useful in both basic and applied research settings. Here, we describe the basic features of the app and how it can be obtained, installed, and modified. We also provide example data files and present two new sets of empirical data to verify that previous findings concerning prospective planning and retrospective memory (i.e., inhibitory tagging) are reproducible with the app. We conclude by discussing ongoing studies and future modifications that illustrate the flexibility and potential of the MILO Mobile app.

The Effectiveness of iPad Apps to Improve Handwriting Legibility in First and Second Grade Students: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Occupational therapists use a variety of approaches during intervention to address handwriting legibility, including therapeutic practice, sensorimotor approaches, and practice using iPad apps. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the effectiveness of three interventions implemented in small groups to improve handwriting legibility: handwriting practice on iPad apps alone, handwriting practice using iPads combined with a traditional OT multisensory approach, or a traditional OT multisensory approach alone with handwriting practice. A pretest-posttest design with random assignment was employed in the current study. Although all of the mean group scores improved, a Kruskal-Wallis H test revealed no statistically significant differences in THS-R scores between the three groups after the intervention, X2 (2) = 4.63, p = .09. A blinded qualitative analysis of handwriting samples from each group revealed observable improvements in the letter formation in the iPad only group as compared to the other two intervention groups.