Older Adults’ Experiences With Using Wearable Devices: Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-synthesis (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.23832
• Publication Date: 2020-09-28T18:19:53Z
• Authors: Kevin Moore; Emma O'Shea; Lorna Kenny; John Barton; Salvatore Tedesco; Marco Sica; Colum Crowe; Antti Alamäki; Joan Condell; Anna Nordström; Suzanne Timmons
• Keywords: Wearable Technology; CINAHL; PsycINFO

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Older adults may use wearable devices for various reasons, ranging from monitoring clinically relevant health metrics or detecting falls to physical activity. Little is known about how this population engages with devices, and no qualitative synthesis exists describe their shared experiences long-term use. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This study aims synthesize studies of user experience after a multi-day trial device understand the factors that contribute acceptance devices. <title>METHODS</title> We conducted systematic search in CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase (2015-2020; English) fixed terms relating &lt;i&gt;older adults&lt;/i&gt; &lt;i&gt;wearable devices&lt;/i&gt;. A meta-synthesis methodology was used. extracted themes primary studies, identified key concepts, applied reciprocal refutational translation techniques; findings were synthesized into third-order interpretations, finally, “line-of-argument” developed. Our overall goal theory development, higher-level abstraction, generalizability making group more accessible. <title>RESULTS</title> In total, we reviewed 20 papers; 2 evaluated fall detection 1 tested an ankle-worn step counter, remaining 17 activity trackers. The duration wearing ranged 3 days 24 months. views 349 participants (age: range 51-94 years) synthesized. Four concepts outlined: motivation use, characteristics (openness engage functional ability), integration daily life, features. Motivation intrinsic extrinsic, encompassing many aspects experience, appears be as, if not more, important than actual To overcome usability barriers, older adult must motivated by useful purpose device. serves its intended adds value user’s life. needs support structure around device—aspects are often overlooked—seem play crucial role adoption. model describes motivation, ease determine whether perceived add which subsequently predicts will integrated <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> added resulting balance motivators (or lack thereof), features (and accuracy), purpose, experience. contributes successful life user. Useful alone do lead continued should placed foster encourage peer engagement, adapt preferences. <title>CLINICALTRIAL</title> <p />