T Claire Davies1, Amur AlManji1, N Susan Stott2. 1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. 2. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Abstract
AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the cursor trajectories of adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) when using a mouse for point-and-click computer tasks. By identifying some of the factors limiting cursor movement and gaining a better understanding of human movement, it will be possible to design more accessible computer interfaces. METHOD: This study evaluated cursor trajectories of 29 individuals with bilateral CP who had different levels of upper limb function as measured by the Manual Ability Classification System, and compared the results with those of 12 adolescents with typical development. RESULTS: Among adolescents with typical development, movement time increases linearly as the index of difficulty increases (Fitts' law); however, this linearity was not apparent in adolescents with bilateral CP. INTERPRETATION: Interfaces for members of the population are designed around Fitts' law, with low precision requirements at indices of difficulty lower than 4. We found that interactive displays for adolescents with CP should be limited to an index of difficulty of 2.
AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the cursor trajectories of adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) when using a mouse for point-and-click computer tasks. By identifying some of the factors limiting cursor movement and gaining a better understanding of human movement, it will be possible to design more accessible computer interfaces. METHOD: This study evaluated cursor trajectories of 29 individuals with bilateral CP who had different levels of upper limb function as measured by the Manual Ability Classification System, and compared the results with those of 12 adolescents with typical development. RESULTS: Among adolescents with typical development, movement time increases linearly as the index of difficulty increases (Fitts' law); however, this linearity was not apparent in adolescents with bilateral CP. INTERPRETATION: Interfaces for members of the population are designed around Fitts' law, with low precision requirements at indices of difficulty lower than 4. We found that interactive displays for adolescents with CP should be limited to an index of difficulty of 2.
Authors: Deborah Cristina Gonçalves Luiz Fernani; Maria Tereza Artero Prado; Talita Dias da Silva; Thais Massetti; Luiz Carlos de Abreu; Fernando Henrique Magalhães; Helen Dawes; Carlos Bandeira de Mello Monteiro Journal: BMC Neurol Date: 2017-07-27 Impact factor: 2.474