Initial Steps to Assemble a Home Monitoring Kit Prototype for Parkinson’s Disease: Applications of Design Heuristics and Formative Usability Testing with Young Participants

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) find it increasingly difficult to maintain consistency of clinic visits. Additionally, current methods of tracking symptoms between appointments are often incomplete or inaccurate due to variability of patient self-report. This research includes a needs assessment, application of design heuristics, and the completion of usability testing, to assemble a home monitoring kit prototype to track PD symptoms. Design needs for patients with PD include larger font size and simplicity to encourage and support user interactions during motor skill and eyesight decline. Five design heuristics were applied to the kit to guide necessary components and instructions for participants to log mobility and digital tapping test results through a mobile device. Usability testing with four young participants (not diagnosed with PD) revealed opportunities to improve instructions including the use of pictures. Future design iterations and usability testing will target participants with PD for interaction with all components.