Alastair Macdonald

Towards a design tool for visualizing the functional demand placed on older adults by everyday living tasks

This paper discusses the development of a design tool using data calculated from the biomechanical functional demand on joints in older adults during activities of daily living, portrayed using a visual ‘traffic-light’ system. Whole body movements of 84 older adults were analysed using a 3D motion capture system and reaction forces were measured by force platforms, and translated into a 3D software model. Although originally intended as a tool for designers, the early evaluation of this method of visualizing the data suggests that it may be of value across those involved in the professional care of older adults.

Developing visualisation software for rehabilitation: Investigating the requirements of patients, therapists and the rehabilitation process

This article describes the ongoing process of engaging with users in the development and evaluation of prototype visualisation software, which aims to assist in the understanding and improvement of appropriate movements during rehabilitation. The value of the process is illustrated in the article with a discussion of the key findings of pre-pilot focus groups with stroke survivors and therapists. The article describes how the design of the visualisation software is being adapted to meet the emerging understanding of the needs of patients and professionals, and of the rehabilitation process.

Supporting visual assessment of food and nutrient intake in a clinical care setting

Monitoring nutritional intake is an important aspect of the care of older people, particularly for those at risk of malnutrition. Current practice for monitoring food intake relies on hand written food charts that have several inadequacies. We describe the design and validation of a tool for computer-assisted visual assessment of patient food and nutrient intake. To estimate food consumption, the application compares the pixels the user rubbed out against predefined graphical masks. Weight of food consumed is calculated as a percentage of pixels rubbed out against pixels in the mask. Results suggest that the application may be a useful tool for the conservative assessment of nutritional intake in hospitals.

Towards a Visual Representation of the Effects of Reduced Muscle Strength in Older Adults: New Insights and Applications for Design and Healthcare

This paper details the evaluation of human modelling software, which provides visual access to dynamic biomechanical data on older adult mobility to a new audience of professionals and lay people without training in biomechanics. An overview of the process of creating the visualisation software is provided, including a discussion of the benefits over existing approaches. The qualitative evaluation method, which included a series of interviews and focus groups held with older adults, and healthcare and design professionals, is discussed together with key findings. The findings are illustrated with examples of new dialogues about specific mobility issues impacting on healthcare and design planning which were facilitated by the data visualisations.

InclusiveCAD: a software resource for designers

Rapid and unprecedented population ageing poses a serious social and economic challenge across the developed world. Shifts in dependency ratios point to escalating welfare and pensions costs which require radical and imaginative responses from Government and industry. The key to this is maintaining a healthy population that is able and willing to work longer before retirement and can remain independent for as long as possible afterwards as well as bringing disabled people into mainstream life and employment. ontributions focus on the following topics. This chapter focuses on design issues for a more inclusive world, explaining InclusiveCA as a software resource for designers involved in the development and evaluation of truly usable and accessible systems for users with special needs.

The UD phenomenon in Japan: product innovation through universal design

The uptake of Universal Design (UD) by manufacturing industries in Japan has been a recent and extensive phenomenon. The sector has identified the significant market opportunities brought about by the rapidly changing needs and lifestyle aspirations of its ageing society. In this review, the author discusses innovation in products, specifically mobile phones, developed through a UD philosophy, within the context of Japanese manufacturing corporate culture and the wider national goal for a socially integrated environment. Corporate literature and product marketing material are also referenced as a means of revealing the relationship between company and customer. The author asks what value can be obtained from understanding the factors stimulating and supporting this phenomenon and if this UD approach in Japan can be translated outwith its unique corporate and national cultures for further applications elsewhere.

Rehabilitation professionals' perceptions of the use of new visualisation software tools with people with stroke

Abstract Purpose: The envisage programme of research was funded to explore and evaluate the use of visualisation software tools using biomechanical data within rehabilitation. Three work packages were developed to evaluate the impact of the tools within stroke rehabilitation. The research presented here aimed at exploring the perceptions of rehabilitation therapists about the use of the visualisation software tools in the context of future randomised controlled trials and stroke rehabilitation practice. Methods: Sixteen therapists working in a range of stroke rehabilitation contexts participated in semi-structured interviews. Interview questions explored their current practice, and the perceived impact of the new visualisation technologies on their workplace environment and practice. Framework analysis was used to analyse the textual data. Results: In general, the stroke therapists were enthusiastic about the potential application of the visualisation software tools. Three themes were identified through qualitative framework analysis: potential uses of the visualisation tools; integration within current service provision; and trial involvement. Conclusions: The study highlights important contextual considerations which may impact significantly on the success of novel technologies in stroke rehabilitation. Normalisation process theory was proposed as a useful process evaluation methodology to optimise both trial evaluation and future service implementation. Implications for Rehabilitation There is limited research exploring the use of visual software technologies featuring biomechanical data within stroke rehabilitation. The perspectives of stroke rehabilitation therapists about the potential of such tools are useful both in terms of planning trial evaluations, and implementation. Therapists were generally positive about the contribution of visual software tools in stroke rehabilitation, but highlighted a number of practical constraints which required addressing. Normalisation process theory provides a useful process evaluation methodology which can support both trial evaluation and implementation of such novel technologies within stroke rehabilitation.

The Inner Resource: Enabling the Designer within Us All – A Case Study

ABSTRACT The author proposes that within us all is a set of skills, strategies and modes of thinking commonly found in designers that, if recognized, understood and enabled, could potentially be practiced by non-design individuals to assist in improving everyday situations. Inclusive, participative and co-design approaches have tended to include non-design individuals either as part of the consultation process at one end of the ‘inclusive’ spectrum of design processes, or as an integral member of the design team at the other. The proximity of designers to non-designers in team or workshop situations helps create designerly ways of doing things. This is not only an issue of recognizing and practising these skills and approaches, but also recognizing the conditions under which designing can occur and indeed flourish. Using a research study to explore the tacit use of ‘design’ skills by spinal cord injuries (SCI) survivors as part of a larger project intended to help enhance their own self-reliance and resourcefulness, the author discusses the kinds of skills, thinking and strategies used by SCI survivors to approach a particular set of problems and asks, if ultimately left to their own devices, could non-design individuals design without designers being present.

Investigating the Use of Visualisations of Biomechanics in Physical Rehabilitation

Biomechanical analysis can be used to scientifically assess the causes of movement problems, measure progress and validate outcomes. However, the complexity of the data produced and the training required to use the available biomechanical analysis tools prevents the widespread understanding of this form of analysis beyond those with a background in biomechanics. This paper reports on multidisciplinary research, funded by the MRC’s LLHW programme, into the generation of three-dimensional, dynamic visualisations of biomechanical data and investigation of their use during functional rehabilitation trials, e.g., post-stroke, knee-joint replacement, and older adult exercise. The research will test the hypothesis that increased understanding of biomechanical concepts and measurements through this method of visualisation by both patients and clinicians will result in better patient outcomes.

Embracing technophobes and technophiles: customer-centred product innovation in Japanese mobile phones 2003-2007

Ageing populations may be regarded in some developed regions as problematic and burdensome, but in Japan, a rapidly expanding older market has been regarded by the manufacturing and service sectors as an opportunity for product innovation leading to benefits across diverse market sectors. Similarly, providing new products for a very young and technologically sophisticated generation has driven innovation aimed at reassuring parents of their childrens safety. This paper discusses customer-centred approaches in Japan that have begun to address the needs of previously excluded or ill-considered market sectors through a field survey in Japan of recent product innovation in mobile phones in the older persons, childrens, and mainstream markets from 2003 to 2007. These are discussed from a number of perspectives – technological innovation, interaction design, ergonomics, aesthetics and marketing.