Product Physical Interface Design Characteristics for Older Adults with Hand Use Limitations

Abstract

The aim of the study is to apply ergonomics and product design research methodologies in concert, including questionnaires, focus groups, and a collaborative design process, to explore the associations between product interface design characteristics and user experiences of older adults with hand use limitations. There is a research void in understanding the relationship between product interface design characteristics and hand dysfunction levels in older populations. Taking jar lids as an example of the product interface as the focus of this study, associations between jar lid design characteristics, e.g. diameter, height, shape, and texture, and the user experiences of older people with hand use limitations were explored. In addition, several new lid design features that could possibly improve user performance have been proposed and will be assessed. When investigating jar lid design characteristics, prior research has focused on healthy study participants. To the best of our knowledge, no prior published research specifically studied older people who were known to have difficulties opening or closing jar lids or who reported experiencing hand pain around the time of their study participation.