Toward achieving universal usability for older adults through multimodal feedback

Abstract

This experiment examines the effect of combinations of feedback (auditory, haptic, and/or visual) on the performance of older adults completing a drag-and-drop computer task. Participants completed a series of drag-and-drop tasks under each of seven feedback conditions (3 unimodal, 3 bimodal, 1 trimodal). Performance was assessed using measures of efficiency and accuracy. For analyses of results, participants were grouped based on their level of computer experience. All users performed well under auditory-haptic bimodal feedback and experienced users responded well to all multimodal feedback. Based on performance benefits for older adults seen in this experiment, future research should extend investigations to effectively integrate multimodal feedback into GUI interfaces in order to improve usability for this growing and diverse user group.

PERSPECTIVE: Older Adults' Adoption of Technology: An Integrated Approach to Identifying Determinants and Barriers

“…Lastly, interactions should not require physical dexterity or heavy cognitive processing (Kurniawan and Zaphiris, ). To minimize the need for extensive learning and memory, appropriate modes of control, feedback, and instructions must be provided (Emery et al., ; Mynatt and Rogers, ). For example, use of touch screens may reduce workload by providing a clear match between display and control (Murata and Iwase, ; Wood, Willoughby, Rushing, Bechtel, and Gilbert, ).…”

The Effect of Vibrotactile Feedback on Novice Older Adults in Target Selection Tasks

“…Jacko et al [28] showed that having multi modal feedback results in performance gain on drag and drop tasks assigned to older adults. Emery et al [29] examined the multi modal feedback effects on drag and drop tasks designed for the older adults and they noted that haptic feedback must be combined with other feedback modes since "the age dependent degeneration of the peripheral nervous system common in individuals 40 years and older, older adults may be less sensitive to haptic feedback". The subjects of this experiment were grouped into three levels of computer experience so that the interrelations between the feedback modes and experience could be isolated.…”

An evaluation of multimodal feedback in tracking state for pen-based interfaces

“…In drag-and-drop tasks, their overall results indicated that nonvisual and multimodal feedback forms demonstrated significant performance gains over the visual feedback form, for both AMD and normal sighted users. Emery [17] designed the experiment so that older adults were grouped based on different levels of computer experience in a drag-and-drop computer task. The results showed that, under auditory-haptic bimodal feedback, all subjects performed well and experienced users all preferred multimodal feedback.…”