Evaluating the Adoption and Usability of a Wearable Device like the Smartwatch Among Older People in a Developing Country : A User Study in Bangladesh (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.76404
• Publication Date: 2025-05-15T15:45:07Z
• Authors: Fariah Mahzabeen; Fazlea Rabby; Neazmul Mowla; Sadia Afra Ibnat
• Keywords: Smartwatch; Preprint; Wearable Technology

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Wearables like smartwatches can enhance older adults' health management at point-of-care while reducing strain on healthcare systems amid a growing aging population. Though there are many studies comparing technical accuracies of smartwatches, is major gap user-centric to understand human-computer interaction (HCI) factors that influence their adoption by adults, especially in Low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) Bangladesh. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The primary objective this study assess the real-world usability and among socioeconomically diverse elderly communities (&gt;60 years) an LMIC It explores how HCI age, background, education, lifestyle may user experience, highlighting key barriers facilitators adoption, comfort, long-term engagement with smartwatch. <title>METHODS</title> first step was identify engage individuals evaluate study's general interest level feasibility. Then, three-phase survey conducted recruited from different socioeconomic educational backgrounds. cycle includes: i) short-term survey, ii) three data points, iii) focus group interview. Statistical analysis, reliability comfortability adaptability analysis were performed. <title>RESULTS</title> reveals significant findings regarding smartwatch senior citizens across Participants demonstrated remarkable improvement comfort perception (26.31% 88.88%) over time, challenging assumptions as users lower stratum adapted more readily technology. Among metrics, heart rate monitoring consistently emerged preferred feature (68.42% 79.53% usage), privacy preferences revealed notable divide: higher participants favored continuous sharing, groups emergency-only sharing. Most ultimately reported high perceived accuracy aesthetic inclining towards traditional watch designs. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> This insights into populations LMICs, conventional about technological divides. Our demonstrate adults successfully integrate wearable technology daily routines when given adequate time support, regardless background. marked preference for fewer focused features unexpected faster less educated highlight importance streamlined design. These guide development age-appropriate technologies balance functionality, familiarity, enhancing accessibility resource-limited settings. <title>CLINICALTRIAL</title> An IRB approval (2023/OR-NSU/IRB/1231) obtained North South University, Bangladesh, through rigorous reviews Scientific Regulatory Committee. involved non-invasive use commercially available follow up surveys feedback appropriate consent prior participant recruitment. No new drug or device tried study.