A Pilot Usability Study of a Prosthetic-limb Provision and Repair Registry

Abstract

Title: A Pilot Usability Study of a Prosthetic-limb Provision and Repair Registry

Presenter: Vikranth Harthikote Nagaraja, Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, School of Health and Society, University of Salford, UK

 

Background:

The lack of comprehensive prosthetic service data has impeded improvements in clinical practice, R&D, and policy-making. Hence, we proposed creating a Prosthetic-limb Provision and Repair Registry (PPRR) [1] and co-created its schema with various stakeholders. Given the demands on services, such a registry should be quick and easy-to-use.

Aim:

To investigate PPRR’s usability (a qualitative attribute that assesses a user interface’s (UI) or product’s ease-of-use [2]) to inform future improvements, addressing user-friendliness and data quality/completeness. 

Method:

Three prosthetists (data contributors) and two supervisors (data completeness/correctness checkers) from Mobility India, Bengaluru, volunteered. We developed three online forms to capture patient information, prosthetic-limb details, and repair/maintenance records. Usability was evaluated using surveys incorporating the System Usability Scale, NASA Task-load Index, and Nielsen Model. Additionally, time-to-complete forms and supervisors’ feedback on data completeness/correctness were captured. A week-long pilot trial was conducted, followed by a month-long data collection period. While piloting, contributors received training on form usage, and adjustments were made based on their feedback before the month-long study.

Results:

All data contributors reported that the data collection forms were easily navigable and required minimal mental effort to complete, but also moderately time-consuming. Additionally, data completeness/correctness checks revealed some recurring errors in the submitted entries. Relevant usability metrics were obtained.

Conclusion:

The usability testing worked well. Future work involves UI development to minimise the time-to-complete data entry. Additionally, further enhancements—including accessibility features and error-prevention mechanisms—should help address the recurring data errors identified and improve overall data quality.

References:

1. Cheng, R., Kenny, L. and Nagaraja. V.H.  Open-access Prosthetics Provision and Repairs Registry.  Tehc. Rep.  TIDAL: Innovation, 2025.  Available from https://cdn.disabilityinnovation.com/uploads/images/TIDAL-report_Salford_Prosthetics-Registry_FINAL.pdf?v=1739553591 

2. Resnik, L., 2011. Development and testing of new upper-limb prosthetic devices: research designs for usability testing.  Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, 48 (6).