scholarly journals Development and Preliminary Usability Evaluation of a Somatosensory Square Dance System for Older Chinese Persons: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-Wen Yu ◽  
Pei-Luen Patrick Rau ◽  
Xueqian Liu

BACKGROUND Chinese square dancing, known as guangchang wu in Chinese, is a well-known public fitness activity that provides an entertaining way for older Chinese women to improve their flexibility, lower extremity strength, overall coordination, and balance. However, injuries, noise conflicts, and lack of space are challenging aspects of this activity. Somatosensory games (SG) are an increasingly popular physical fitness approach to enhance the selective attention of older persons with indoor engagement and exercises. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to develop a newly designed somatosensory square dance system for older Chinese people and to evaluate its usability. METHODS This is a mixed methods study. The newly designed somatosensory square dance system is a somatic training tool that provides adequate Chinese square dance fitness training based on Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) and design guidelines established in a previous stage. The usability evaluation involved a questionnaire and interviews. Twelve participants were interviewed before and after experiencing the 15-minute dancing and learning process within the program. In addition, participants scored their experience satisfaction in psychological, physiological, and relaxation sections on a scale of 1 to 5 using a questionnaire. Qualitative content analysis and quantitative analysis of the satisfaction scores supported understanding of usability problems. RESULTS Based on the interview results, 6/12 (50%) of the participants thought the system could help them correct their dancing movements indoors without being affected by poor outdoor weather. Among the participants, 3/12 (25%) indicated that this indoor system could enable them to enjoy fitness activities in a private space. Moreover, 3/12 participants (25%) stated that this system could promote family relationships by providing easy dancing movements. All participants were highly satisfied with the relaxation aspect of the system (4.45/5). The participants were all psychologically satisfied and interested in the novel features of the system, with an average score of 4.16/5. Physiologically, participants affirmed that the system could help them maintain good health (4.91/5). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that the somatosensory square dance system can be used as an indoor fitness tool to improve older Chinese square dancers’ health conditions with reasonable dance training. Noise and space conflicts can be addressed. The Laban Elated Square Dance system, which was modified by therapists based on LMA and square dance design guidelines, was highly approved by dancers because it decreased the possibility of injuries, falls, and joint damage by considering the physical and psychological difficulties of older persons. Different features will be considered in the next stage, such as greater selection of exercises and difficulty level settings. Users’ social needs will also be explored in subsequent stages.

10.2196/16000 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e16000
Author(s):  
Chin-Wen Yu ◽  
Pei-Luen Patrick Rau ◽  
Xueqian Liu

Background Chinese square dancing, known as guangchang wu in Chinese, is a well-known public fitness activity that provides an entertaining way for older Chinese women to improve their flexibility, lower extremity strength, overall coordination, and balance. However, injuries, noise conflicts, and lack of space are challenging aspects of this activity. Somatosensory games (SG) are an increasingly popular physical fitness approach to enhance the selective attention of older persons with indoor engagement and exercises. Objective The objectives of this study were to develop a newly designed somatosensory square dance system for older Chinese people and to evaluate its usability. Methods This is a mixed methods study. The newly designed somatosensory square dance system is a somatic training tool that provides adequate Chinese square dance fitness training based on Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) and design guidelines established in a previous stage. The usability evaluation involved a questionnaire and interviews. Twelve participants were interviewed before and after experiencing the 15-minute dancing and learning process within the program. In addition, participants scored their experience satisfaction in psychological, physiological, and relaxation sections on a scale of 1 to 5 using a questionnaire. Qualitative content analysis and quantitative analysis of the satisfaction scores supported understanding of usability problems. Results Based on the interview results, 6/12 (50%) of the participants thought the system could help them correct their dancing movements indoors without being affected by poor outdoor weather. Among the participants, 3/12 (25%) indicated that this indoor system could enable them to enjoy fitness activities in a private space. Moreover, 3/12 participants (25%) stated that this system could promote family relationships by providing easy dancing movements. All participants were highly satisfied with the relaxation aspect of the system (4.45/5). The participants were all psychologically satisfied and interested in the novel features of the system, with an average score of 4.16/5. Physiologically, participants affirmed that the system could help them maintain good health (4.91/5). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the somatosensory square dance system can be used as an indoor fitness tool to improve older Chinese square dancers’ health conditions with reasonable dance training. Noise and space conflicts can be addressed. The Laban Elated Square Dance system, which was modified by therapists based on LMA and square dance design guidelines, was highly approved by dancers because it decreased the possibility of injuries, falls, and joint damage by considering the physical and psychological difficulties of older persons. Different features will be considered in the next stage, such as greater selection of exercises and difficulty level settings. Users’ social needs will also be explored in subsequent stages.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 472-480
Author(s):  
Carina Katigbak ◽  
Dale Dagar Maglalang ◽  
Tam Nguyen ◽  
Minna Wang ◽  
Cheuk-Lam Lo

The benefits of physical activity for successful aging are well established. Few interventions however, target older Asian Americans who may have distinct needs for cultural and linguistic tailoring. The heterogeneity among Asian Americans underscores the need to elucidate specific physical activity preferences by ethnic subgroup. To better understand older Chinese Americans’ perceptions about physical activity, we conducted a community-engaged, mixed methods study with 60 participants. Through survey and focus groups, four emerging themes characterized perceptions of physical activity: (a) physical activities benefit the body and mind, (b) traditional Chinese culture influences perceptions and preferences for physical activity, (c) physical activity presents opportunities for social engagement, and (d) physical activity facilitates family harmony. Design recommendations includes encouraging mind–body approaches, incorporating culturally specific practices, highlighting opportunities for social engagement, and emphasizing the potential for improved harmony.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S713-S714
Author(s):  
Simona Kwon ◽  
Jazmine Wong ◽  
Janet Pan ◽  
Andrew Rosenberg ◽  
Germaine Cuff ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Chinese Americans make up the largest Asian American subgroup in the US. Data from a large health system indicate that older Chinese Americans experience lower satisfaction in pain management after surgery compared to all other racial/ethnic groups. Objective: To understand pain experience among older Chinese American patients to improve pain satisfaction strategies Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted, including: 1. A scoping review of the peer-reviewed published literature; 2) face-to-face survey; and 3) qualitative interviews. 14 Chinese American postsurgical patients >65 years of age were recruited for the survey and interview with a trained bilingual Community Health Worker. Questions from the Survey on Disparities in Quality of Healthcare and Kleinman’s Explanatory Model of Illness guided the data collection tools. Results: The 31 studies identified in the review were largely observational; none assessed pain control or management interventions for older Chinese Americans. Most participants reported experiencing a language barrier that hindered healthcare staff communication during hospital stay. Even with an interpreter, limited English proficient patients reported lower understanding of health information compared to those who did not need interpretation. Ideas of “pushing through” pain, perceiving physicians as “busy people,” and mismatch in pain assessment tools contributed to pain attendance delay. Facilitators to care included family support, culturally and linguistically-tailored tools, and availability of cultural remedies. Conclusions: This mixed-methods study identified key themes including socio-cultural barriers and facilitators to effective pain care and management. Findings will inform tools and resources to better capture and address pain management in Chinese Americans.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott W. H. Young ◽  
Zoe Chao ◽  
Adam Chandler

This article presents a mixed-methods study of the methods and maturity of user experience (UX) practice in academic libraries. The authors apply qualitative content analysis and quantitative statistical analysis to a research dataset derived from a survey of UX practitioners. Results reveal the type and extent of UX methods currently in use by practitioners in academic libraries. Themes extracted from the survey responses also reveal a set of factors that influence the development of UX maturity. Analysis and discussion focus on organizational characteristics that influence UX methods and maturity. The authors conclude by offering a library-focused maturity scale with recommended practices for advancing UX maturity in academic libraries.


10.2196/18123 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. e18123
Author(s):  
Danny T Y Wu ◽  
Chen Xin ◽  
Shwetha Bindhu ◽  
Catherine Xu ◽  
Jyoti Sachdeva ◽  
...  

Background Patient-generated health data (PGHD) have been largely collected through mobile health (mHealth) apps and wearable devices. PGHD can be especially helpful in mental health, as patients’ illness history and symptom narratives are vital to developing diagnoses and treatment plans. However, the extent to which clinicians use mental health–related PGHD is unknown. Objective A mixed methods study was conducted to understand clinicians’ perspectives on PGHD and current mental health apps. This approach uses information gathered from semistructured interviews, workflow analysis, and user-written mental health app reviews to answer the following research questions: (1) What is the current workflow of mental health practice and how are PGHD integrated into this workflow, (2) what are clinicians’ perspectives on PGHD and how do they choose mobile apps for their patients, (3) and what are the features of current mobile apps in terms of interpreting and sharing PGHD? Methods The study consists of semistructured interviews with 12 psychiatrists and clinical psychologists from a large academic hospital. These interviews were thematically and qualitatively analyzed for common themes and workflow elements. User-posted reviews of 56 sleep and mood tracking apps were analyzed to understand app features in comparison with the information gathered from interviews. Results The results showed that PGHD have been part of the workflow, but its integration and use are not optimized. Mental health clinicians supported the use of PGHD but had concerns regarding data reliability and accuracy. They also identified challenges in selecting suitable apps for their patients. From the app review, it was discovered that mHealth apps had limited features to support personalization and collaborative care as well as data interpretation and sharing. Conclusions This study investigates clinicians’ perspectives on PGHD use and explored existing app features using the app review data in the mental health setting. A total of 3 design guidelines were generated: (1) improve data interpretation and sharing mechanisms, (2) consider clinical workflow and electronic health record integration, and (3) support personalized and collaborative care. More research is needed to demonstrate the best practices of PGHD use and to evaluate their effectiveness in improving patient outcomes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Mina Hashemiparast ◽  
Ali Montazeri ◽  
Saharnaz Nedjat ◽  
Reza Negarandeh ◽  
Roya Sadeghi ◽  
...  

<p><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Pedestrian crossing is an important traffic safety concern. The aim of this paper is to report the protocol for a sequential explanatory mixed methods study that set out to determine the pedestrians’ traffic behaviors, the associated factors and exploring the perception of young people about the traffic risky behaviors in crossing the road. The ultimate purpose of the study is to design a preventive and cultural based strategy to promote young people’s health.</p> <p><strong>METHODS:</strong> This is a sequential explanatory mixed methods design. The study has two sequential phases. During the first phase, a population-based cross-sectional survey of a sample of young people will be conducted using the proportional random multistage cluster sampling method, in Tehran, Iran. Data will be collected by a questionnaire including items on socio-demographic information, items on measuring social conformity tendency, and questions on subjective norms, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control based on the Theory of Planned behavior. In the second phase, a qualitative study will be conducted. A purposeful sampling strategy will be used and participants who can help to explain the quantitative findings will be selected. Data collection in qualitative phase will be predominately by individual in-depth interviews. A qualitative content analysis approach will be undertaken to develop a detailed understanding of the traffic risky behaviors among young pedestrians.</p> <p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>The findings of this explanatory mixed methods study will provide information on traffic risky behaviors in young pedestrians. The findings will be implemented to design a cultural based strategy and intervention programs.</p>


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e041762
Author(s):  
Heike Hansen ◽  
Ingmar Schäfer ◽  
Nadine Janis Pohontsch ◽  
Agata Kazek ◽  
Hanna Hardt ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to explore patient types in general practitioner (GP) practices and to quantify the regional differences of the frequencies of these patient types in northern Germany.Design and settingWe conducted a mixed-methods study based on focus groups and standardised interviews with GPs. All counties and independent cities within a radius of 120 km around Hamburg were assigned one of three regional categories (urban areas, environs, rural areas). The focus groups were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Relative frequencies of consultations by patient types and differences between the regions were calculated. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify differences among regions.ParticipantsNine focus groups with 65 GPs (67.7% male). From the 280 initially recruited GPs 211 (65.4% male) could be personally interviewed.ResultsFour themes with 27 patient types were derived from the focus groups: patients classified by morbidity, sociodemographic characteristics, special care needs and patient behaviour. Five patient characteristics were significantly more prevalent in urban areas than rural areas: patients with migration background and culturally different disease concepts (OR 1.23; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.42), privately insured patients (OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.31), educationally disadvantaged patients with low health literacy (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.19), patients with psychiatric disorders (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.12) and senior citizens living on their own without caregivers (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.31). Three patient types were significantly less prevalent in urban areas: minors accompanied by their parents (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.83), patients with poor therapy adherence (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.95) and patients with dementia (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.82 to 0.99).ConclusionsGPs could compensate the specific needs of their patients with medical training aligned with the requirements of their region. Urban GPs need skills treating patients with psychiatric, social and cultural problems, rural GPs regarding the care for children or noncompliant patients.Trial registration numberNCT02558322


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