Date Presented 03/27/20
A new SPAN website and goal-planning app was created and tested. Three usability trials were conducted with (1) OT students, (2) youth with traumatic brain injury, and (3) young adult brain tumor survivors. Ratings of useful or higher were found. Computer or laptop navigation was easy, but it was harder to view and type on smartphones. Minor technical problems and the need for clearer instructions are being addressed in preparation for a larger SPAN intervention trial.
Primary Author and Speaker: Gary Bedell
INTRODUCTION: Social Participation And Navigation (SPAN) was initially designed for youth with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A three-phase iterative design incorporating multiple stakeholder feedback informed the initial and subsequent prototypes (Bedell, et al.,2017; Narad et al., 2018; Wade et al., 2018). SPAN uses a top-down, strengths-based approach by supporting youth to set social participation goals, plan actionable steps and generate strategies, and implement these to achieve goals . Coaches assist youth with reviewing the process and identifying what next steps or changes might be needed and provide encouragement, reinforcement and emotional support. The current iteration of SPAN consists of four main components: 1) Coaching with college student (10 weekly virtual sessions); 2) Coach training and weekly supervision with OT and psychologist; 3) Information tips and topics; and 4) A goal planning application (app). Results from prior usability and implementation testing with youth with TBI and brain tumors results indicated that participants could develop social participation goals, create and implement actionable steps to achieve goals and demonstrate improved scores on selected measures of social functioning/participation (Bedell, 2012). However, the mobile app that was created could only be used with iPhones/iPads and numerous technical challenges were encountered with the mobile app.
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to develop and test the usability of a new SPAN website and web-based goal planning app that could be used on multiple platforms and devices.
DESIGN: A descriptive usability study design was used incorporating rating scale and close/open ended survey questions.
METHODS: Three usability trials were conducted. Trial 1: Thirteen Occupational Therapy (OT) students with clinical experience used the website/app for two weeks and completed an online usability survey; Trial 2: Four youth with TBI (ages, 16-18) attended one session to navigate the website/app and respond to formative and summative evaluation questions. Trial 3: Young adult brain tumor survivors (18-25 years old) are reviewing and using the website/app and completing an online usability survey (target n=15). Descriptive statistics were used for survey rating scale responses and content analysis for open-ended responses.
RESULTS: Usability testing: Trial 1: > 80% gave ratings of useful-higher for all but one feature of the app (strategy bank) that needed cleared directions. Creating steps and push notifications for goals were most useful. Overall, navigation on computers/laptops was easy (but with minor technical problems still noted); the smartphone platform was harder for viewing and typing. Trial 2: Youth with TBI indicated homepage reflected what and who it was for, that they would share with others, but the app needed clearer instructions. Trial 3 is in progress (results pending).
CONCLUSION: The new SPAN website/app (https://spanprogram.com/) has promise but future testing is needed with other users. Smartphone platform optimization will need to be explored. User guides and online instructions and examples were recently developed based on stakeholder feedback and these along with other SPAN training materials are currently being tested in preparation for the next larger multi-component SPAN intervention trial. Colleagues are in the process of modifying SPAN for use with other populations and translating SPAN into other languages.
IMPACT STATEMENT: The proposal is important to practice and science because it will illustrate how an innovative technology-supported intervention that was informed by research evidence and stakeholder feedback was developed, tested and refined to be used to promote social participation - a key OT outcome.
References
Bedell, G., Wade, S.L., Turkstra, L.S., & Haarbauer-Krupa, J. & King, J. (2017). Informing design of an app-based coaching intervention to promote social participation of teenagers with traumatic brain injury: Stakeholder perspectives. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 20, 408-417. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518423.2016.1237584
Narad, M. E., Bedell, G., King, J. A., Johnson, J., Turkstra, L. S., Haarbauer-Krupa, J., & Wade, S. L. (2017). Social Participation and Navigation (SPAN): Description and usability of app-based coaching intervention for adolescents with TBI. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 21, 439-448. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518423.2017.1354092
Wade, S. L., Bedell, G., King, J. A., Jacquin, M., Turkstra, L. S., Haarbauer-Krupa, J., Johnson, J., Salloum, R., & Narad., M. E. (2018). Social Participation and Navigation (SPAN) program for adolescents with acquired brain injury: Pilot findings. Rehabilitation Psychology, 63, 327-337. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/rep0000187
Bedell, G. (2012). Measurement of Social Participation. In V. Anderson, & M. Beauchamp (Eds.), Developmental Social Neuroscience and Childhood Brain Insult: Implication for Theory and Practice. New York, NY: Guilford Publications.
