Sherpa: Insights into the App
In the following text, our project partner Sherpa gives us some small insights into the development work of the app.
Our project aims to develop an innovative solution for people with Parkinson's disease. The socks are designed to detect movement blockages (freezing episodes) and can prevent or stop them with vibration signals. The ultimate goal is to improve the mobility and quality of life of people with Parkinson's, while also providing valuable data for patients and their medical professionals.
Design for a Target Group with Parkinson's Disease
When designing the app, several crucial factors must be taken into account. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors and movement blockages, make it difficult to interact with conventional interfaces. Our focus is on developing a system that works effectively with minimal user interaction.
Simplifying Interaction Complexity
Minimizing dependence on smartphones: People with Parkinson's already face mobility issues, so it is all the more important that the socks work in such a way that they require as little interaction with a smartphone as possible.
Simplifying app navigation: Sherpa focuses on reducing the number of actions required. During tests, it was found that tremors made navigating the app particularly difficult. This insight motivated Sherpa to simplify the user guidance and develop alternative design approaches.
Quick Access to Features
To improve usability, we have implemented options that allow users to change app settings without unlocking their smartphones.
For example:
- Quick access to change vibration settings (e.g., BPM for cueing, intensity of vibration).
- The possibility of voice control.
Iterative Design Process
Designing for people with Parkinson's is an iterative process.
The development of products for people with Parkinson's is an iterative process. It's not just about bringing a product to market, but continuously refining it to better meet the needs of the users. Throughout development, user feedback will play a crucial role in evaluating Sherpa's designs. Sherpa will regularly assess how the current features are received by people with Parkinson's and make necessary improvements.
Sherpa works closely with the manufacturer of the vibrating socks (feelSpace) to determine the technical capabilities of the socks. Questions such as "What kind of data can be collected?" and "How can this data be visualized in a valuable yet simple way?" guide the development of this app.
Future Goals: Personalized Care for People with Parkinson's
Sherpa aims to bridge the gap between real-time patient data and clinical insights, enabling patients and their healthcare teams to make more informed decisions and ultimately improve treatment outcomes.
To achieve this, Sherpa has set the following goals:
- Establishing a direct connection between the patient and their medical professionals.
- Supporting shared decision-making in treatment, leading to more personalized and effective care.
Conclusion
Through a user-centered approach and the use of technology, Sherpa hopes to create a tool that not only supports mobility but also contributes to better care.
Our journey is not over yet. With each iteration, we are getting closer to meeting the needs of people with Parkinson's.
If you are a person with Parkinson's and would like to participate in Sherpa's development process, you can contact info@mssherpa.nl at any time. Sherpa will then get in touch with you for the next testing phase.