The Use of Smart Glasses for Environmental Controls

NHS Lothian

Status: Completed

Conditions: Neurologic Disorder

Treatments: Device: Provision of smart glasses for environmental control use

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06932978

24/NW/0057 (Other Identifier)

AC24008

Details and patient eligibility

About

Environmental control systems are a type of assistive technology that can be controlled by a wide variety of different methods (e.g. switches) and can assist people with physical disabilities to control various electronic devices in the home. Communication aids are designed to assist people who have difficulties speaking to communicate. Both systems are designed to provide independence and potentially could have a positive effect on quality of life.

The majority of communication aid and environmental control systems aimed at high end users require a screen to be mounted in front of the user. The limitations with this are that the user is only able to access their device when it has been suitably mounted in front of them. There are occasions when mounting devices in front of the user is difficult due to other considerations for example transfers in and out of a wheelchair. As smart glasses can potentially be worn at all times during the day this could provide an effective alternative solution.

The purpose of this study is to explore with service users the usability and satisfaction provided by smart glasses when operating a communication aid/environmental control system. The study will achieve the above aim by undertaking a satisfaction questionnaire prior and post a 3 week trial of using smart glasses with their device. In addition an interview will be carried out with participants to explore the impact that smart glasses has had on the usability of their device.

Participants will be recruited by contacting eligible patients of the NHS Lothian Environmental Control Service and communication aid service. The end point of the study will be 8 months from the start date (allowing for follow up data to be collected for anyone recruited towards the end of the 6-month recruitment period).

Enrollment: 4 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Existing environmental control system user (age 18-80).
• Neurological condition.
• Cognitive ability to answer the questions and to give consent.
• Current environmental control system is compatible with smart glasses display.

Exclusion criteria

• Current environmental control system or communication aid is not compatible with smart glasses display.
• Rapidly deteriorating condition

Trial design

Primary purpose: Device Feasibility

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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4 participants in 1 patient group

Smart glasses

Experimental group

Description:

The participant will be provided with a set of smart glasses (X-REAL Air 2) as an alternative display for their existing environmental control system. They will have the smart glasses to trial for a period of 3 weeks.

Treatment:

Device: Provision of smart glasses for environmental control use