The Usability of a Touchpad Active Video Game Controller for Individuals With Impaired Mobility: Observational Study.
Christen J Mendonca, Laurie A Malone, Sangeetha Mohanraj and 1 others
PMID 37535411WHAT IT FOUND
All 21 participants with mobility impairments used a touchpad video game controller while sitting, standing, or in wheelchairs.
They rated it usable and enjoyable, though it required frequent adjustments like repositioning pads or adding conductive tape to prosthetics.
Key findings
01Every participant successfully used the system for all games, but many required physical modifications to the setup.
02Overall usability scores were high, but participants seated in a standard chair reported lower usability and higher exertion than those standing or using their own wheelchairs.
03Common barriers included touchpads drifting during play and difficulty activating pads with dry skin or prosthetics, which were mitigated by weights, moisturizer, or conductive tape.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample size was small (n=21), making subgroup comparisons difficult. Participants were generally physically active (mean 375 minutes/week), so results may not generalize to sedentary individuals. Touchpad placement was not standardized due to varied dexterity, which may affect reproducibility. The study used only four specific video games with simple commands, which may not reflect more complex gaming experiences. The prototype required significant researcher intervention (e.g., applying moisturizer, taping prosthetics) that may not be feasible in a home setting without training.
Declared interests
None declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this prototype is ready for home use. The study required researchers to constantly adjust the equipment, such as adding weights to stops drifting pads or applying conductive tape to prosthetics. These barriers were significant enough to lower usability scores for some participants.