Brady B, Zhou S, Ashworth D, Zheng L, Eramudugolla R, Anstey K J
School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
Front Digit Health. 2025 Apr 29;7:1520971. doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2025.1520971. eCollection 2025.
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the Labs Without Walls app and paired Apple Watch devices for remote research among Australian adults aged 18-84. METHODS: The study app, built using Apple's open-source ResearchKit frameworks, uses a multi-timescale measurement burst design over 8-weeks. Participants downloaded the app, completed tasks over 8 weeks, and wore Apple Watch devices. Feasibility was assessed by recruitment, remote consent, and data collection without training. Adherence was measured by task completion rates. Usability was assessed by response times, a post-study survey, and qualitative feedback. RESULTS: 228 participants (mean age 53, age range 18-84; 62.7% female) were recruited nationwide, consented remotely, and provided data. 201 (88.16%) completed the 8-week protocol. Task adherence ranged from 100% to 70.61%. Health, environmental, and sleep data were collected passively. Usability feedback was excellent, with 84% rating the app as "extremely" or "a lot" user-friendly, 88% finding alert frequency "just right," and 95.7% finding the schedule manageable. Few age or sex differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: The Labs Without Walls app and paired Apple Watch devices are user-friendly and enable adults aged 18-84 to complete surveys, cognitive and sensory tasks, and provide passive health and environmental data. The app can be used without formal training by males and females living in Australia, including older adults. Future iterations should consider gamification and strategies to improve daily-diary survey user experience.
目的:本研究评估了“无墙实验室”应用程序以及与之配套的苹果手表设备在18 - 84岁澳大利亚成年人中的远程研究适用性。 方法:该研究应用程序基于苹果的开源ResearchKit框架构建,采用了为期8周的多时间尺度测量突发设计。参与者下载应用程序,在8周内完成任务,并佩戴苹果手表设备。通过招募情况、远程同意和无需培训的数据收集来评估可行性。通过任务完成率来衡量依从性。通过响应时间、研究后调查和定性反馈来评估可用性。 结果:在全国范围内招募了228名参与者(平均年龄53岁,年龄范围18 - 84岁;62.7%为女性),他们进行了远程同意并提供了数据。201名(88.16%)完成了为期8周的方案。任务依从率在100%至70.61%之间。被动收集了健康、环境和睡眠数据。可用性反馈极佳,84%的人将该应用程序评为“极其”或“非常”用户友好,88%的人认为提醒频率“恰到好处”,95.7%的人认为时间表易于管理。未发现明显的年龄或性别差异。 结论:“无墙实验室”应用程序以及与之配套的苹果手表设备用户友好,能够使18 - 84岁的成年人完成调查、认知和感官任务,并提供被动的健康和环境数据。澳大利亚的男性和女性,包括老年人,无需接受正式培训即可使用该应用程序。未来的迭代版本应考虑游戏化以及改善日常日记调查用户体验的策略。
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