Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jan Thomas Meyer, Roger Gassert, Olivier Lambercy
Summary: User-centered design approaches have gained attention in tackling the technology acceptance issues of wearable robotic devices. However, dedicated usability evaluation studies are scarce and clear evaluation guidelines are missing. This study identified functionality, ease of use, and performance as the most evaluated usability attributes and provided evaluation recommendations to foster user-centered design and usability evaluation in the wearable robotics field.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Agnese Seregni, Enrica Tricomi, Peppino Tropea, Rocio Del Pino, Juan Carlos Gomez-Esteban, Inigo Gabilondo, Maria Diez-Cirarda, Hannes Schlieter, Kai Gand, Massimo Corbo
Summary: The study aims to present how end-users are involved in the evaluation of a novel virtual coaching system, with results showing a positive preliminary perception from end-users and an excellent assessment of the system during the field study phase by both patients and health professionals.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tanner J. Caverly, Sarah E. Skurla, Mandi L. Klamerus, Jordan B. Sparks, Eve A. Kerr, Timothy P. Hofer, David Reed, Laura J. Damschroder
Summary: This study utilized a user-centered design approach involving patients and clinicians in charrettes to develop de-intensification strategies in clinical care. Thirty-five patients generated 134 de-intensification ideas, leading to the development of six patient-generated principles. These principles were further refined into six multi-faceted, fully operationalized de-intensification strategies during a patient-clinician charrette, demonstrating the potential of engaging stakeholders in complex care improvement strategies.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jelena Nakic, Ivana Nizetic Kosovic, Ana Franic
Summary: This paper presents a method for integrating UCD principles into the development process, by selecting the most appropriate color scheme and related parameters for representing temperature values on geographic maps. This method is suitable for UCD-based research related to visualizing various types of data, and is useful for researchers and developers of geovisualizations.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minjoo Jung, May Jorella S. Lazaro, Myung Hwan Yun
Summary: This study systematically reviews and clarifies the state-of-the-art HRI evaluation studies, especially for the usability of social robots, proposing practical strategies and a hierarchical structure of assessment measures to meet specific research requirements.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Matteo Laffranchi, Stefano D'Angella, Christian Vassallo, Chiara Piezzo, Michele Canepa, Samuele De Giuseppe, Mirco Di Salvo, Antonio Succi, Samuele Cappa, Giulio Cerruti, Silvia Scarpetta, Lorenzo Cavallaro, Nicolo Boccardo, Marialaura D'Angelo, Claudia Marchese, Jody A. Saglia, Eleonora Guanziroli, Giacinto Barresi, Marianna Semprini, Simone Traverso, Stefano Maludrottu, Franco Molteni, Rinaldo Sacchetti, Emanuele Gruppioni, Lorenzo De Michieli
Summary: The paper introduces TWIN, a modular lower limb exoskeleton designed for spinal-cord injury (SCI) patients, developed through participatory investigations and user-centered design methods. The approach proved to be effective in adapting design goals towards user needs, resulting in an exoskeleton with modular mechatronics and novel lateral quick release systems with high potential for usability in its intended use.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROROBOTICS
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Mumtaz Khan, Shah Khusro
Summary: This article introduces a framework of personalized adaptive UIs for smart TV users, which can change the UI layout and structure to meet user needs and contextual details. The positive impact of this framework is demonstrated through empirical research.
JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY-COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Rodrigo Perez-Rodriguez, Elena Villalba-Mora, Myriam Valdes-Aragones, Xavier Ferre, Cristian Moral, Marta Mas-Romero, Pedro Abizanda-Soler, Leocadio Rodriguez-Manas
Summary: The study evaluated a new mobile system for preventing disability in older people in terms of usability, user experience, and acceptance, with positive results indicating success.
Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Sofia A. M. Siveria, Luciana A. M. Zaina, Leobino N. Sampaio, Fabio L. Verdi
Summary: Network monitoring tools are crucial for network administrators, but often lack usability principles in their interface design. This study evaluates how different usability design guidelines can assist software developers in improving the usability of network monitoring tool interfaces, and finds that these guidelines are important for creating user-friendly interfaces.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Alison Keogh, Rob Argent, Amy Anderson, Brian Caulfield, William Johnston
Summary: The systematic review found substantial heterogeneity in the quality and methods used to assess the usability of wearable devices in chronic health conditions. Future research should focus on conducting standardized usability assessments, adhering to basic reporting standards, and utilizing mixed methods research for a more comprehensive understanding of usability.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2021)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Elisa Prati, Valeria Villani, Fabio Grandi, Margherita Peruzzini, Lorenzo Sabattini
Summary: This article proposes a new method for designing collaborative robotic systems with a focus on interaction characteristics, emphasizing the interaction experience through a user-centered approach. Through two industrial case studies, the applicability of this method to real-world domains is showcased.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AUTOMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Pietro Battistoni, Marianna Di Gregorio, Marco Romano, Monica Sebillo, Giuliana Vitiello, Alessandro Brancaccio
Summary: In this study, the role of augmented reality as a meta-user interface is explored, specifically focusing on its applications for interactive fitting room systems and the impact on the related shopping experience. By synthesizing a set of interaction design patterns based on literature and existing systems, the researchers developed AR fitting rooms and evaluated the patterns through a focus group with potential stakeholders. The analysis of the focus group revealed that the shopping experience in an AR fitting room, based on the proposed patterns, is influenced by factors such as perception of utility, generation of interest and curiosity, and perceived comfort of interaction and environment.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jure Trilar, Tjasa Sobocan, Emilija Stojmenova Duh
Summary: This article discusses the family-centered design concept and its importance in user-centered design. Through the development of new tools, an experiment was conducted to compare differences among two generations and different user interfaces.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ana Isabel Martins, Goncalo Santinha, Ana Margarida Almeida, Oscar Ribeiro, Telmo Silva, Nelson Rocha, Anabela G. Silva
Summary: This study aimed to generate consensus on terms and procedures for usability evaluation of health-related digital solutions by users and experts. A Delphi study was conducted to gather input from experienced international participants. Consensus was achieved on definitions and a checklist was proposed to guide the planning and reporting of usability studies. This study is an important step towards standardizing usability evaluation and enhancing the quality of usability studies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Krzysztof Szklanny, Marcin Wichrowski, Alicja Wieczorkowska
Summary: Research shows that the Aphasia Create tablet app meets the needs of target users, but older people may not be familiar with tactile devices, the Google Glass device could be problematic for individuals with right-hand paresis, and design guidelines for apps for aphasics have been further characterized.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Joana Figueiredo, Pedro Nuno Fernandes, Juan C. Moreno, Cristina P. Santos
Summary: This study investigates the performance of a bioinspired hybrid control called Feedback-Error Learning (FEL) controller in tracking user-oriented gait trajectories and adapting to dynamic changes. The results show that the FEL control accurately tracks gait trajectories with low error and delay, and can adapt to variations in gait and disturbances.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Anatomy & Morphology
Filipe Oliveira Barroso, Diego Torricelli, Juan C. Moreno
Summary: The idea of this Special Issue stems from technological advances in bionic, robotic, and neural rehabilitation systems and the common need to understand how human anatomical structures can be replicated or controlled. Artificial anatomies should consider both motor capabilities from the central nervous system and integrate bioinspired mechanical features in artificial limbs. The development of wearable robotics and neuroprosthetic systems for human movement compensation and control is inspired by human anatomy and biology, and it is bringing us closer to a new artificial anatomy with which humans can enhance or replace their motor capabilities.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jesus Minguillon, Marc Tudela-Pi, Laura Becerra-Fajardo, Enric Perera-Bel, Antonio J. del-Ama, Angel Gil-Agudo, Alvaro Megia-Garcia, Aracelys Garcia-Moreno, Antoni Ivorra
Summary: Wireless power transfer (WPT) is used as an alternative to batteries for miniaturization of electronic medical implants. We propose a WPT approach based on high frequency (HF) current bursts, which avoids bulky components and enables flexible threadlike implants. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of wirelessly powering threadlike implants using innocuous and imperceptible HF current bursts based on volume conduction.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Camila Rodrigues-Carvalho, Marvin Fernandez-Garcia, David Pinto-Fernandez, Clara Sanz-Morere, Filipe Oliveira Barroso, Susana Borromeo, Cristina Rodriguez-Sanchez, Juan C. Moreno, Antonio J. del-Ama
Summary: Nowadays, robotic technology for gait training is common in rehabilitation hospitals, but its effectiveness is still controversial. This study evaluated three types of exoskeleton control strategies in healthy volunteers and found that the EMG-based controller performed well in detecting stepping intention. However, these controllers did not result in significant changes in the overall physiological cost of walking or the perceived experience of use.
Article
Neurosciences
G. Jonasson, M. H. Ghasemi, U. S. Jonsdottir, K. Briem, P. Sveinsson
Summary: The present study examined the impact of gender on hip muscle strength and activity during a controlled cutting maneuver in preadolescent athletes. It was found that boys had higher activity levels in the gluteus medius muscle and greater strength in hip external rotation compared to girls. However, there were no significant differences in hip abduction strength or duration of stance between genders. Future research should investigate whether these differences contribute to the risk of lower limb/ACL injuries in sports activities.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Angel Gil-Agudo, Alvaro Megia-Garcia, Jose Luis Pons, Isabel Sinovas-Alonso, Natalia Comino-Suarez, Vicente Lozano-Berrio, Antonio J. del-Ama
Summary: This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of using the HANK exoskeleton for walking rehabilitation, and investigate its effects on walking function. The results showed that the use of HANK exoskeleton in clinical settings is safe and well-tolerated by the patients. Patients receiving treatment with the exoskeleton improved their walking independence as measured by the WISCI-II.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Mohammadhossein Ghasemi, Haraldur Bjorn Sigurdsson, Thorarinn Sveinsson, Kristin Briem
Summary: The study aimed to investigate sex-dependent changes in the knee valgus moment during a cutting maneuver from pre-adolescence to adolescence. The results showed that boys had higher knee valgus moments than girls at both age periods, and only girls demonstrated a significant increase from pre-adolescence to adolescence. Additionally, the increase in knee valgus moment in girls was fully explained by kinematic variables.
KNEE SURGERY SPORTS TRAUMATOLOGY ARTHROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Neira Alvarez, Antonio R. Jimenez Ruiz, Guillermo Garcia-Villamil Neira, Elisabet Huertas-Hoyas, Maria Teresa Espinoza Cerda, Laura Perez Delgado, Elena Reina Robles, Antonio J. del-Ama, Luisa Ruiz-Ruiz, Sara Garcia-de-Villa, Cristina Rodriguez-Sanchez
Summary: Falls in the elderly population are a major concern, and the G-STRIDE system, a 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) with onboard processing algorithms, showed promising results in measuring walking parameters correlated with fall risk. A cross-sectional case-control study found that the G-STRIDE can differentiate between fallers and non-fallers based on walking metrics. Preliminary fall-risk assessment based on these metrics improved the Timed Up and Go test in identifying fallers.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Robotics
Lucia Seminara, Strahinja Dosen, Fulvio Mastrogiovanni, Matteo Bianchi, Simon Watt, Philipp Beckerle, Thrishantha Nanayakkara, Knut Drewing, Alessandro Moscatelli, Roberta L. Klatzky, Gerald E. Loeb
Summary: This study proposes a framework that models the hierarchical sensorimotor controllers of the human nervous system to connect sensing and action in haptically enabled artificial hands, aiming to enhance dexterity and use of tactile sensors.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Camila R. Carvalho, J. Marvin Fernandez, Antonio J. del-Ama, Filipe Oliveira Barroso, Juan C. Moreno
Summary: This paper reviewed the state-of-the-art of EMG onset detection methods and compared the performance of the most commonly used methods on experimental data. The study found that threshold-based methods are still the most commonly used for EMG onset detection. The three most commonly used methods (Single, Double, and Adaptive Threshold) were proven to be accurate, with Single and Adaptive Threshold being faster in detection time.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sara Garcia-de-Villa, Guillermo Garcia-Villamil Neira, Marta Neira Alvarez, Elisabet Huertas-Hoyas, Luisa Ruiz Ruiz, Antonio J. del-Ama, Maria Cristina Rodriguez Sanchez, Antonio R. Jimenez
Summary: The GSTRIDE database contains health status assessments of 163 elderly adults, including socio-demographic data, functional variables, and outcomes from commonly performed tests. The database includes gait parameters estimated from IMU measurements, such as walking distance, strides, and various spatio-temporal gait parameters. In addition, the database provides raw IMU recordings and Python programming codes for researchers to test different gait analysis algorithms. It focuses on studying frailty-related parameters distinguishing faller and non-faller populations, and analyzing gait-related parameters in frail subjects, which are important topics for the elderly.
Article
Orthopedics
Micah Nicholls, Thorvaldur Ingvarsson, Stephanie Filbay, Stefan Lohmander, Kristin Briem
Summary: The study aimed to identify prognostic factors for patient-reported outcomes in an Icelandic cohort of ACL injured subjects. The findings showed that re-injury, smoking, and subsequent surgery (non-ACLR) are predictors of knee-related health following an ACL injury.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ORTHOPAEDICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Stefano Massardi, Kristin Briem, Jan F. Veneman, Diego Torricelli, Juan C. Moreno
Summary: This paper presents a vocabulary of terms aiming to create a common understanding among experts in the wearable robots (WRs) community. The vocabulary has been validated through focus group discussions and an online survey, showing strong acceptance and usefulness.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENGINEERING AND REHABILITATION
(2023)