scholarly journals A Mobile App to Promote Adapted Exercise and Social Networking for People With Physical Disabilities: Usability Study

10.2196/11689 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e11689
Author(s):  
Byron Lai ◽  
Jereme Wilroy ◽  
Hui-Ju Young ◽  
Jennifer Howell ◽  
James H Rimmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Physical Disabilities ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Usability Study ◽  
People With Physical Disabilities

scholarly journals A Mobile App to Promote Adapted Exercise and Social Networking for People With Physical Disabilities: Usability Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byron Lai ◽  
Jereme Wilroy ◽  
Hui-Ju Young ◽  
Jennifer Howell ◽  
James H. Rimmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Physical Disabilities ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Operation Speed ◽  
People With Physical Disabilities

BACKGROUND People with physical disabilities (PWD) experience several unique challenges that prevent them from participating in onsite exercise programs. Although mobile apps can provide a ubiquitous channel for delivering convenient exercise services within the community, no exercise apps have been designed for people with disabilities who experience certain functional limitations. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the usability of a mobile exercise app in PWD. METHODS A sequential explanatory mixed-method design was used to holistically test usability in 4 core areas: effectiveness (ie, ease of use), efficiency (ie, operation speed), perceived satisfaction, and usefulness. Participants completed 7 face-to-face usability tasks and 1 structured interview. Equipment included a computer tablet that came preinstalled with the exercise app. The app included exercise videos that focused on several components of fitness: aerobic capacity, muscular strength, functional strength or balance, and range of motion. The app contained 3 different versions of the exercise program: (1) a program for people with the ability to use the upper and lower limbs, (2) a seated program for people with the ability to use only upper limbs, and (3) a program designed for people with hemiparesis. The app also included educational resources in the form of infographics aimed at addressing key social cognitive theory constructs included social support, outcome expectancies, self-efficacy, and barriers or facilitators to exercising. Participant characteristics and quantitative usability data were descriptively reported. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS A total of 12 PWD tested the usability of the exercise app and completed 96% (69/72) of the usability tasks on the first attempt. Operation speed varied among users, which prompted the development team to make minor revisions to the app. Qualitative results demonstrated 3 overarching themes: facilitates exercise adoption, positive experiences of videos, and easy to learn. Participants noted that the app circumvented several barriers to exercise associated with leaving the home (eg, inclement weather conditions, exacerbations of health conditions or disability symptoms, difficulties with transportation, and social support). CONCLUSIONS The mobile exercise app provided a simple platform that was effective, useful, and appreciated by PWD. Participants also perceived the app as easy to use and felt it was a valuable tool for assisting PWD to obtain regular exercise. Study findings also offered insight into the participants’ preferences for mobile exercise apps that can aid future research and development projects. Future exercise trials are needed to determine the true impact of mobile app technology on lifestyle physical activity in people with disabilities. CLINICALTRIAL Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03024320; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03024320 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/75hNLgRFH).

scholarly journals Improving Social Inclusion for People with Physical Disabilities: The Roles of Mobile Social Networking Applications (MSNA) by Disability Support Organizations in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2333
Author(s):  
Hyeon-Cheol Kim ◽  
Zong-Yi Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Physical Disabilities ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
People With Physical Disabilities ◽  
The Impact

Having friendships and interpersonal social connections is a normal and expected necessity of life that enhances an individual’s well-being. Digital platforms, such as mobile social network applications (MSNA), present a means for people with disabilities to integrate in society. This study combines intrinsic benefits (such as enjoyment experience and information) and extrinsic benefits (such as social networking) to explore the impact of these benefits on online friendships, and the influence of these online friendships on the perceived social connectedness and well-being of people with physical disabilities. The partial least squares methodology was used to conduct statistical analysis on survey data; the outputs were obtained through convergent analysis, discriminant analysis, and bootstrapping. The results showed that enjoyment experience and social network benefits significantly influence online friendships, which influence perceived social connectedness and well-being. In addition, the perceived social exclusion has a significant moderation effect. Our findings are expected to help local disability service organizations develop effective digital disability inclusion strategies to combat widespread social exclusion among people with disabilities.

State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Supports for Older Adults, People with Physical Disabilities, and Family Caregivers

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan C. Reinhard Reinhard ◽  
Ari Houser Houser ◽  
Enid Kassner Kassner ◽  
Robert Mollica Mollica ◽  
Kathleen Ujuari Ujuari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Physical Disabilities ◽  
Services And Supports ◽  
People With Physical Disabilities
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