Usability, Acceptability, and Satisfaction of a Wearable Activity Tracker in Older Adults: Observational Study in a Real-Life Context in Northern Portugal

Abstract

Background The use of activity trackers has significantly increased over the last few years. This technology has the potential to improve the levels of physical activity and health-related behaviors in older adults. However, despite the potential benefits, the rate of adoption remains low among older adults. Therefore, understanding how technology is perceived may potentially offer insight to promote its use. Objective This study aimed to (1) assess acceptability, usability, and user satisfaction with the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 in Portuguese community-dwelling older adults in a real-world context; (2) explore the mediating effect of the usability on the relationship between user characteristics and satisfaction; and (3) examine the moderating effect of user characteristics on the relationship between usability and user satisfaction. Methods Older adults used the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 over 15 days. The user experience was evaluated through the Technology Acceptance Model 3, System Usability Scale, and User Satisfaction Evaluation Questionnaire. An integrated framework for usability and user satisfaction was used to explore user experience. Statistical data analysis included descriptive data analysis, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and mediation and moderation analyses. Results A sample of 110 older adults with an average age of 68.41 years (SD 3.11) completed the user experience questionnaires. Mean user acceptance was very high—perceived ease of use: 6.45 (SD 0.78); perceptions of external control: 6.74 (SD 0.55); computer anxiety: 6.85 (SD 0.47); and behavioral intention: 6.60 (SD 0.97). The usability was excellent with an average score of 92.70 (SD 10.73), and user satisfaction was classified as a good experience 23.30 (SD 2.40). The mediation analysis confirmed the direct positive effect of usability on satisfaction (β=.530; P<.01) and the direct negative effect of depression on usability (β=–.369; P<.01). Lastly, the indirect effect of usability on user satisfaction was higher in individuals with lower Geriatric Depression Scale levels. Conclusions Findings demonstrate that the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is suitable for older adults. Furthermore, the results confirmed usability as a determinant of satisfaction with the technology and extended the existing knowledge about wearable activity trackers in older adults.

Factors associated with use of wearable technology to support activity, well-being, or a healthy lifestyle in the adult population and among older adults

“…It has been suggested that to invite older adults to use technologies that support their welfare, the technology should be easy to use, but also available and adaptable to the users’ daily lives while being compatible with their needs [ 46 ]. The usability of a WT device has among older adults been shown to act as a determinant of satisfaction with the device [ 31 ]. On the other hand, older adults do not form a homogenous group and their needs should be assessed individually while at the same time considering possible obstacles to adopting new technology [ 47 ].…”

“…While WT use is common in Finland [ 30 ], it is not known who the WT users are. Prior international research has recruited participants from social media or other web-based platforms [ 8 , 14 , 22 ], examined an otherwise restricted sample [ 12 – 13 , 31 ], for example consisting only of students and employees with graduate-level education and mid-to-high incomes or the study sample has had a specific age limit [ 1 , 3 , 31 – 33 ]. One study did have a large population, but it did not entirely represent the intended population in terms of sex, age, education, and body mass index (BMI) [ 33 ].…”

“…One study did have a large population, but it did not entirely represent the intended population in terms of sex, age, education, and body mass index (BMI) [ 33 ]. To broaden scientific knowledge, conducting research on WT in large, heterogenous study samples has been recommended [ 13 , 31 ], especially researching older adults’ technology usage with representative study samples [ 34 ].…”

The most used questionnaires for evaluating the usability of robots and smart wearables: A scoping review

“…As shown in Figure 3 , the majority of articles focusing on the most used questionnaires for evaluating the usability of robots and smart wearables were published in 2020 ( n = 11), 22 – 29 , 52 – 54 2021 ( n = 9), 1,0– 34 , 55 – 57 and 2022 ( n = 10), 35 – 41 , 58 – 60 respectively (More details in Table 2 ).…”

“…In the studies related to the evaluation of smart wearables, the largest sample size was 110 people, consisting of 60 women and 50 men. 40 Additionally, the smallest sample size in these studies included 4 people, comprising 2 women and 2 men. 18 In evaluating the usability of robots, the largest sample size in the studies included 1860 people, with 919 women and 941 men.…”