The usability of a wireless vocal fold vibration switch for individuals with complex communication needs: a caregiver-inclusive iterative home-based evaluation.
Purpose: A vocal fold vibration switch is a type of access technology that detects voluntary vibrations of the vocal cords. In two sequential usability studies, we evaluated successive prototypes of a novel wireless vocal fold vibration switch. Methods: Each usability study enroled 7 dyads consistin...
| Publicado en: | Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology Vol. 20; no. 3; pp. 699 - 708 |
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| Autores principales: | , , , |
| Formato: | pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Apr2025
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=184162577&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 184162577 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 17483107 1X04 jtl: Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology issn: 17483107 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: Apr2025 vid: 20 iid: 3 pid: 377 pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania artinfo: ui: 184162577 179803488 184162577 184162577 10.1080/17483107.2024.2405893 184162577 ppf: 699 ppct: 9 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: The usability of a wireless vocal fold vibration switch for individuals with complex communication needs: a caregiver-inclusive iterative home-based evaluation. aug: au: Mumford, Leslie Guerriere, Denise House, Sarah C. Chau, Tom affil: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada sug: subj: Voice Disorders Therapy Vibration Equipment and Supplies Assistive Technology Devices Utilization Vocal Cords Physiology Home Health Care Equipment Design Evaluation Assistive Technology Devices Evaluation Caregiver Attitudes Alternative and Augmentative Communication Equipment and Supplies Human Male Female Child, Preschool Child Adolescence Adult Phonation Funding Source Treatment Outcomes Task Performance and Analysis Open-Ended Questionnaires Child, Preschool: 2-5 years Child: 6-12 years Adolescent: 13-18 years Adult: 19-44 years Male Female ab: Purpose: A vocal fold vibration switch is a type of access technology that detects voluntary vibrations of the vocal cords. In two sequential usability studies, we evaluated successive prototypes of a novel wireless vocal fold vibration switch. Methods: Each usability study enroled 7 dyads consisting of individuals with complex communication needs and their caregivers. Each study entailed a 2-week period of independent home use flanked by initial and final usability tests. Each usability test comprised nine tasks including donning and configuration of the switch, connecting it to other devices, and actual activation of the switch. Perceived task difficulty was measured via nine 21-point scales, while caregiver impressions were captured through open-ended questions, both encapsulated within a usability questionnaire. Caregivers described their experience in an open-ended interview in the second usability study. Results: Perceived task difficulty was uniformly low with both prototypes. The vast majority of tasks could be completed either independently or with hints. A small number of contraindications for use were identified with the second prototype, which included episodes of dystonia and heavy breathing, and some aspects of the physical design and robustness were flagged as needing further improvement. Conclusions: The overall qualitative feedback was overwhelmingly positive with caregivers generally desiring to keep and eager to recommend the device to others. Additionally, caregivers expressed that the vocal fold vibration switch expanded the switch user's capabilities, and they foresaw applications beyond the study setting. Overall, our findings suggest that the wireless vocal fold vibration switch is useable in the home setting. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: An integrative, caregiver-inclusive approach can be effective in uncovering and addressing key usability issues of emerging access technologies. The Hummingbird vocal fold vibration technology can be independently donned and configured in the home environment by caregivers of individuals with complex communication needs. Given the usability and positive caregiver perceptions of the Hummingbird, vocal fold vibrations should be considered by families and clinicians among the possible alternative access pathways for individuals with complex communication needs. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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