Triggered- Context

"Triggered" has been developed within a bachelor group design project. A training device for people with osteoporosis who train in a (physical) therapeutic setting.

Due to a lack of calcium the bone density of people and therefore the bone strength decreases, which can lead to osteoporosis. Common problems of people with osteoporosis are indented fractures in the vertebrae, wrists and hips. Many of those people are afraid of falling, which does not always affect their lifestyle for the best.

After desk research, interviews with the (potential) target group and discussions with therapists, it is decided to develop a training platform with an interactive (serious) game. The user controls the game by training on the platform, which is visible on a screen in front of them. 3 surfaces are built on the platform and contain 3 different materials (sand, stones and grass) to offer a realistic unstable outdoor experience.

Osteoporosis day

Interview, lady with osteoporosis

Testing unstable materials

Prototyping

Goals

The "Triggered" platform contributes to:

  • Bone growth and bone strength; can be supported bij active exercises such as walking or stepping, and a increased blood flow. 
  • Stability; will be trained by coordination and alertness of the body, by exercises such as stepping or standing on one leg on an unstable surface
  • Correct posture; will be enhanced by stability training and supported by the way the game is connected to the platform; users must stay straight and look up while playing.
  • Therapy adhesion; the serious game has been developed to motivate people to excercise and to keep track on their progress. The game is about aiming and shooting bullets with a canon at targets. One can aim the cannon by standing on one of the legs to train stability. They can fire the bullet at the targets by stepping on the platform. 
  • Improving lifestyle; the game is a great opportunity to positively influence people psychologically. Implementing topics such as medication loyalty, a recommended diet or connecting to a community of gamers can be a big improvement. 

Usertesting the platform and game, gathering feedback

Achievements

    • I learned that it was not easy to gain access to the target group via (physical) therapists, while the target group itself is almost always very willing to tell their story and provide us with information. A visit to the World Osteoporosis Day was a major breakthrough. The next time I will concentrate more on such meetings earlier in the design process.
    • It was also interesting that the target group was quite diverse in their personal way of dealing with this disease. This kept me sharp to listen carefully. I am used to interviewing people, but I realized how important all this personal information was, especially with regard to secondary problems such as anxiety, loneliness, difficulties in adaptation, and so on.
    • I have learned to work with electronics, to connect the hardware and software that I have programmed, which also had to provide the correct output to operate the game. I also developed the platform itself.

    Personal feedback

    My coach dr.ir. P.J.F. Peters about my work, attitude and personality: "You deliver quality, are polite, very open and do what you say you will do; so in short, pleasant to work with and professional. Furthermore you are pro-active. Most of the Competency Coach (CC)  meetings also came from you. In team meetings you were always active and contributed to a lot of discussions, in CC meetings you always were well prepared."