Usability of smartphone apps as reading aids for low vision patients
| Autor: | Nívea Nunes Ferraz, Ariadne Stavare Leal, Paula Baptista Eliseo da Silva |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Male genetic structures medicine.medical_treatment media_common.quotation_subject Visual rehabilitation Applied psychology Visual Acuity Biomedical Engineering Vision Low Physical Therapy Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Speech and Hearing Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Reading (process) medicine Humans Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Aged media_common Digital inclusion Rehabilitation business.industry Usability Middle Aged medicine.disease Mobile Applications eye diseases Low vision Reading Smartphone app Quality of Life Female Smartphone Psychology business |
| Zdroj: | Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. 17:848-852 |
| ISSN: | 1748-3115 1748-3107 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/17483107.2020.1820086 |
| Popis: | Reading is one of the main complaints of low vision patients referred for visual rehabilitation, since it is fundamental for full participation in modern society. The purpose of this study was to analyse the usability of free smartphone apps with magnification tools as digital aids for reading visual rehabilitation in low vision patients.Low vision adult patients were included regarding the following criteria: best-corrected visual acuity in the better-seeing eye from 0.6 to 1.3logMAR, previous habit of smartphone use, without former aid adaptation. Android system was used for the selection of three applications (apps) to be tested as digital reading aids. Visual acuity (VA) for near, reading acuity (RA) and reading speed (RS) using each app were measured. The participants were also asked about apps usability concerning accessibility, focus adjustment and text tracking.Seventeen participants (10 females - 58.8%) with ages ranging from 26 to 73 years (mean = 45.2 ± 13.1 years) were included. Mean binocular VA, RA and RS without the apps were respectively 1.00 ± 0.22 logMAR, 1.01 ± 0.28 logMAR and 41.7 ± 28.6 words/minute. Statistically better visual and RA results through the apps were found with a mean ≥9-line gain for both, and no significant difference for RS was found. All apps achieved good usability scores (means7).All tested apps provided improvement in VA and reading performance, with proven usability. Free smartphone apps for magnification should be considered in reading rehabilitation programmes for low vision patients.Implications for rehabilitationReading is essential for performing productive daily activities and for full participation in modern society, being a clinical indicator of visual function and quality of life.Difficulty in reading is one of the main complaints of low vision patients referred for visual rehabilitation.Smartphone apps for magnification and readability optimization of printed texts may provide improvement in visual acuity and reading performance of low vision patients.Digital technologies should be considered in the low vision reading rehabilitation programme since they provide additional advantages such as accessibility, cost, portability and social acceptance.Usability is the user's experience when interacting with a software application and associated with pleasantness, usefulness, ease of use, safety and efficiency. Low vision patient's feedback on the usability of assistive technologies is important for a successful visual rehabilitation which meets his/her needs and expectations. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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