Handy Orthotics: Considerations on User-Centered Methodology During Development Stages of Myoelectric Hand Orthosis for Daily Assistance

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis on recently (2017–2019) developed myoelectric hand orthosis for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Stroke patients. The analysis was based on concepts of Interaction Design, User Experience (Donald Norman), and Usability (Jakob Nielsen) to show how the lack of User-Centered design leads to poor outcomes. It was identified that ignoring these factors compromises entire developing processes, requiring re-design, as pointed out by most studies. A structure was constructed to survey selected parameters, and we propose its use to serve as de facto guidelines to develop such technologies, emphasizing on a User-Centered approach. It was also identified that no device had Brachial Plexus Injury as object of study and current socioeconomic scenario in Brazil suggests that these individuals might go through hardships without any device to support them, hence, this article raises awareness about this particular condition.