Can we configure COOK, a cognitive Orthosis for meal preparation, with efficiency and effectiveness?

PURPOSE: Assistive Technologies for Cognition (ATCs), such as the Cognitive Orthosis for coOKing (COOK), offer support to individuals with traumatic brain injury by enhancing safety and independence. While the usability of COOK's client interface has been tested, the expert interface-used by occupational therapists to customize the interface to clients' needs-requires further study. We therefore aimed to: (1) Prioritize the modifications to be made to COOK's configuration interface; and (2) Describe the effectiveness and efficiency of the interface within a laboratory context.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A Human-Centered Design (HCD) approach was used. Fourteen occupational therapists and master's students in occupational therapy participated. A convergent mixed-methods design was used. Data was collected through laboratory testing of the interface. Qualitative data was analyzed using deductive thematic analysis [1], and quantitative data with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Our study highlighted the importance of balancing effectiveness and efficiency during technology design. Participants emphasized that the configuration process should ensure both a quality that allows customization to meet client needs and an ease of use to minimize the time required for the configuration of COOK. Overall, a good usability of COOK's configuration interface was demonstrated both qualitatively and quantitatively.

CONCLUSION

Future studies will be needed to implement the technology in clinical practice and gather further insights on this interface for the design of further iterative improvements to meet the needs of occupational therapists and their clients.