User experience theory and practice (2024-2025)

This study focuses on a core design question: how can we motivate and empower people with dementia to participate independently in dance therapy by improving their user experience, thereby enhancing their quality of life and alleviating the burden on carers? The research background highlights that dance therapy has been proven to have a positive impact on the physical and mental health of people with dementia. However, existing activation devices (such as the Switch controller) lack appeal and struggle to inspire patients to participate proactively; carers are still required to assume the role of ‘encouragers’, which runs counter to Aumens’ core value of ‘enhancing patient autonomy’. To address this, this study adopted a user experience design methodology, using Hassenzahl’s theory of basic human needs (autonomy, relatedness, stimulation and security) as a framework. Through empathy-building tools (role-play, sharing of personal experiences and empathy transfer), the study gained a deep understanding of the capabilities and emotional needs of people with dementia. Several conceptual proposals were devised and, following evaluation, the final design—‘Dansplaat’—was selected: an interactive device modelled on a smart vinyl record player. The design capitalises on the target user group’s (older adults) familiarity with and positive emotional associations towards vinyl record players to lower the learning curve and evoke feelings of nostalgia; built-in motion sensors emit a soft glow from the gap between the base of the record player and the lid (drawing on the ‘treasure chest’ concept) when a person enters the room, thereby sparking curiosity as an ‘invitation’; Lifting the heavy yet easy-to-operate lid is interpreted as accepting the invitation, triggering the television to automatically play a dance lesson video; the volume is adjusted by rotating the vinyl record, and tracks are changed using the button on the right, all without the need for care staff intervention; if the user does not wish to participate, simply closing the lid serves as a refusal. Furthermore, the design concept explores social connectivity features—multiple Dansplaat units can be networked together; when one person starts dancing, the devices in others’ homes will light up, and it is even possible to display ‘dancing together’ footage on a single screen. The core contribution of this design lies in the seamless integration of a nostalgic object (the vinyl record player) with smart technology (sensors, connectivity and automatic triggering). Through a physical interaction method characterised by low cognitive load and high emotional appeal, it enables people with dementia to independently initiate dance therapy, whilst freeing up valuable time for carers and providing a model for inclusive interaction design for those with cognitive impairments.