Citation

Levy CE, Miller MD, Akande CA, Lok B, Marsiske M, Halan S. Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2018; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Computer and Information Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PHM.0000000000001041

PMID

30212377

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the potential usability, relevance, and acceptability of V-Mart, a virtual reality grocery store as an assessment and intervention tool for veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

DESIGN: Six focus groups were conducted over a two-year period to assess perceptions from three key stakeholders: therapists, veterans with neither mTBI nor PTSD, and veterans with mTBI with or without PTSD (mTBI/PTSD). The System Usability Scale (SUS) was applied as an objective measure of usability. Transcripts from the six focus groups were subjected to thematic analyses using the constant, comparative method.

RESULTS: The focus groups indicated that V-Mart was perceived as highly usable, relevant, and acceptable. Early technical problems were resolved satisfactorily. Therapists indicated that they would use an application such as V-Mart if it were available. The veterans with neither mTBI nor PTSD felt it was realistic and likely to be useful, as did the veterans with mTBI/PTSD. SUS mean follow-up scores ranged from 71.4-86.0, surpassing the threshold for acceptable usability in health care settings.

CONCLUSIONS: Focus group and SUS data indicate that the V-Mart has great potential as an assessment tool and intervention for veterans with mTBI/PTSD. Further development and clinical trials are warranted.

Language: en