ACCEPTANCE, USABILITY, AND FUNCTIONAL IMPACT OF A SMART SENSING-BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY APPLICATION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH QUALITY OF LIFE IN VISUALLY IMPAIRED ADULTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Abstract

Background: People with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and with impaired vision have challenges in incorporating physical activity in their daily lives for several reasons including the lack of accessible means to assess their physical activity, and inadequacies in the available diabetes-management applications. Real time physical activity feedback and reminders systems may be more acceptable to this population than existing systems.

 Objective: The main objectives of this study were to assess the user acceptance of a real time physical activity feedback and reminders system (Lazarillo-Accessible GPS) based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and to assess its usability. This study also aimed to determine the effects of using Lazarillo- Accessible GPS and its relation to the quality of life of visually impaired adults with T2D.

 Methods: The design of this study was analytical cross-sectional. The participants were 90 adults, 24 to 66 years of age with Type 2 Diabetes and visual impairment. The participants completed an online, accessible, 5-part questionnaire to assess their opinions on the technology acceptance model, usability of Lazarillo-Accessible GPS, its effects on their everyday life and quality of life.

Conclusion: The participants’ mean age was 48.2 (±9.7) years. The average acceptance level for the technology was positive (M = 4.22, SD = 0.49), with the element of ‘ease of use’ determining the level of acceptance. The participants found the technology was simple to use, and positive attitudes toward the technology increased the mean score for the System Usability Scale (SUS) to 71.28 (±14.05). The participants expected that the technology would improve their health, and positively impacted their lives (M = 4.03, SD = 0.46). The participants reported that use of the technology had a moderated effect on their Quality of Life (M = 3.39, SD = 0.58). The composite outcomes were positively related (rs = 0.32 to 0.62, p < 0.01). Acceptance and usability of the technology, and Quality of Life, were negatively related to age (p < 0.05, all cases).