Development and User-Centered Evaluation of Smart Systems for Loneliness Monitoring in Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study

TL;DR

This study explores smart textile-based systems for monitoring loneliness in older adults, evaluating their usability, acceptability, and ethical considerations through user-centered design.

Contribution

The study introduces smart textile technology as a novel medium for loneliness detection in older adults, addressing gaps in continuous and objective monitoring.

Findings

High user satisfaction was reported for comfort, ease of use, and feedback clarity of the smart system.

Trust and willingness to use the system regularly varied, highlighting the importance of privacy and data control.

Participants emphasized the need for discretion, personalization, and human oversight in system design.

Abstract

Loneliness is a critical issue among older adults and constitutes a significant risk factor for a range of physical and mental health conditions. However, current assessment methods primarily rely on self-report questionnaires and clinical evaluations, which are susceptible to recall bias and social desirability bias, highlighting the need for more objective and continuous assessment approaches. Recent studies have reported associations between physiological and behavioral indicators and the experience of loneliness in older adults. While these technologies have demonstrated correlations between physiological and behavioral sensor data and the experience of loneliness, their implementation has been limited. Most systems rely on fixed-location sensors or smartphone apps, with little attention given to the integration of these tools into users’ daily routines. To date, no published studies have applied smart textile technology, which integrates sensing capabilities directly into garments or furniture, as a medium for loneliness detection. This study addresses that gap by exploring the usability, experiential acceptability, and ethical considerations of smart textile-based monitoring systems.

This study aims to assess the perceived usability, acceptability, and emotional resonance of a smart loneliness monitoring system integrating sensing garments, furniture, and a mobile app and identify design implications to guide future improvement and promote sustained engagement among older adults.

Building on earlier conceptual research, a functional prototype system was developed and evaluated through 2 immersive in-person workshops with older adults (N=10). A mixed methods approach was applied, combining structured questionnaires, sensory ethnographic observations, focus group discussions, and experience-based co-design. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and qualitative data were analyzed thematically to explore user perceptions related to system usability, emotional response, lifestyle compatibility, and ethical considerations.

Quantitative data indicated high user satisfaction in dimensions such as comfort, ease of use, and feedback clarity. However, trust in long-term monitoring and willingness to use the system regularly varied. Thematic analysis revealed 4 main areas influencing acceptance, including wearability, usability, and daily integration; trust, privacy, and data control; perceptions of loneliness and the limits of detection; and adoption, applicability, and ethical futures. Participants emphasized the need for discretion, personalization, and human oversight in system feedback and data-sharing mechanisms.

The resulting prototype was positively received, demonstrating the potential of smart systems for passive and personalized loneliness monitoring among older adults. However, adoption is influenced by perceptions of autonomy, emotional sensitivity, and contextual integration. Future development should focus on modularity, transparency, and integration within care infrastructures to ensure ethical and sustainable deployment.

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