SOSteniamoci: Usability Study

Preliminary Studies to the SOSteniamoci Project: Usability Study

The goal of this observational study is to test the usability of the SOSteniamoci platform, culturally adapted from the Lithuanian context, for informal caregivers in Italy.

The main goals were to (1) collect qualitative and quantitative data on usability and (2) identify usability problems. A balanced gender-age sample of 10 individuals meeting the inclusion criteria was consecutively recruited online. The think-aloud testing method, the system usability scale, and an ad hoc semi-structured interview were employed to determine the overall system usability.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Internet-based Intervention
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Usability testing

Detailed Description

The study employed a mixed methods sequential explanatory design approach, comprising the following end-user testing: (1) a phase of collection and analysis of measures of performance employing the think-aloud method, (2) a phase of collection and analysis of quantitative data through the use of a System Usability Scale (SUS) and (3) a phase of collection and analysis of qualitative data through the use of an ad hoc semi-structured interview to further explain the results obtained in the earlier stages.

Ten individuals who showed interest in participating in the SOSteniamoci project by writing to the email address behind the official website (https://www.iterapi.se/sites/sosteniamoci/) were consecutively asked to take part in the usability test based on the inclusion criteria. A balanced gender-age sampling was used to best reflects the heterogeneity of the population.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all procedures were performed online (completion time: 45 mins, on average). First, each participant received an email with a) the link to the online meeting, including the date and time, and b) the link and access credentials of the SOSteniamoci platform. Before starting the usability test, the researcher provided detailed information about the test procedures and described the purpose of the computer-based self-management system. Participants were then asked to give their online informed consent, provide demographic information, and report on their level of comfort with computers and the Internet.

They were also asked if they had already taken a usability test before. All participants were assigned a unique ID unrelated to their identity. Personal data were linked only to this unique ID and stored in a secure online platform accessible only by the research team and protected by a password.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 10

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Italy
  • Milan, Italy, 20145
    • Istituto Auxologico Italiano

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Informal caregivers of a person with a chronic disease

Description

Inclusion criteria:

• age >18 years
• be able to read and speak the Italian language
• have basic computer skills and Internet access
• own a computer or a compatible device
• having provided informed consent to participate.

Exclusion criteria:

- presentation of self-reported visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments preventing the participant from following the instructions.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Score of System Usability Scale (SUS)	10-item scale with final score between 0 and 100	baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istituto Auxologico Italiano
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Giada Pietrabissa, PhD, Istituto Auxologico Italiano

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 15, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 15, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): December 15, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 9, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 9, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): March 21, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 21, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 9, 2023
• Last Verified: March 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 03C211

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: There is not plan to make IPD available.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No