Evaluating the usability of a smartphone virtual seating coach application for powered wheelchair users

The aim of the smartphone virtual seating coach (SVSC) was to provide a personalized reminder/warning system to encourage powered wheelchair users to use their powered seating functions (PSFs) as clinically recommended. This study evaluated the usability of the SVSC system by gathering feedback from five powered wheelchair users and five rehabilitation professionals through questionnaires and interviews. The results indicated that clear and understandable instructions to adjust the PSFs are the most important requirement for SVSC application. The instructions must be intuitive, could benefit from animations or indications of PSFs control buttons so powered wheelchair users can adjust their PSFs immediately and appropriately. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of IPEM.