Designing and Evaluating Mindfulness Conversational Agents for Persons with Dementia and Caregivers
File(s)
Author(s)
Seah, Cassandra
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Dementia is one of the most prevalent global public health challenges and part of the major causes of dependency and disability worldwide. It is a debilitating disease that impacts not only the person with dementia but their caregiver (the “dyad”). Mindfulness interventions have positive effects for dyads but are rigid, time consuming and are not designed for dyads. Furthermore, using voice based conversational agents has not been done for dyadic mindfulness and may enhance accessibility and personalisation. This thesis explores how novel dyadic mindfulness conversational agents can be designed to benefit dyads, identifying user preferences and user needs, through the development and usage of a working prototype. We explored mindfulness interventions for dyads and technologies like conversational agents for health, before conducting a user research study through virtual semi-structured interviews with 10 experts and 5 dyads to understand the potential needs for the intervention. After which, we developed a working prototype through a user centred design approach comprising 4 cycles, incorporating the feedback from 10 dyads and 4 experts. Lastly, through a 30-day guideline assessment study using the working prototype, 6 dyads were eligible to participate, and completed the study. Assessments, surveys, and interviews were done pre and post study, while dyads filled in daily worksheets to track progress. From the various studies conducted, we identified initial user needs based on participants visualising the prototype. We then developed a working prototype and understood usage preferences and enhanced user needs based on dyad’s experiencing the prototype virtually. After the 30-day guideline assessment study, pre-post assessments showed improvement. Intervention and usage preferences further reveal that dyadic mindfulness conversational agents created using a user centred design approach, integrating user needs iteratively, can be beneficial for dyads. The novel intervention enabled dyads to cope better, by reducing stress, worries, and improving sense of control. Detailed design recommendations and examples provide guidance on how future interventions should be designed.
Version
Open Access
Editor(s)
Calvo, Rafael A
Porat, Talya
Date Issued
2024-06-28
Date Awarded
2024-08
Citation
2024
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial Licence
License URL
Advisor
Calvo, Rafael
Porat, Talya
Sponsor
Imperial College London
Publisher Department
Dyson School of Design Engineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)