Enhancing emotional communication in nursing through haptic feedback: insights on intensity, perception, and usability
摘要
This paper aims to develop a device utilizing social haptics for remote care, enabling nursing professionals to convey emotions (joy, sadness, fear, and excitement) to patients unable to leave their homes, thereby enhancing the virtual communication experience and bridging the physical-digital divide. In this study, an inflatable haptic band was designed that can be attached to the forearm, enabling the integration of social haptics into virtual communication to simulate the emotional exchange between patient and caregiver. Participants, comprising diverse professional and informal caregivers, were selected considering demographics such as age, gender, and professional experience. User requirements were identified via surveys and interviews, guiding the prototype's design. The system's effectiveness in conveying emotions, user satisfaction, and ease of use was evaluated through controlled tests using a virtual platform (Zoom). Participants rated haptic feedback intensity for sixteen words, with most finding it adequate except for "danger," leading to an intensity adjustment. Pronunciation difficulty was generally low, though words like "elated" and "blissful" were noted as harder. Haptic feedback distinguishability was effective, especially for words with significant differences in feedback. Comfort and wearability were satisfactory for most users, though some reported discomfort with prolonged or intense feedback. The study introduced a novel device leveraging social haptics for emotional communication in healthcare. While promising, further research and development are required to enhance its accuracy and practical application in remote patient-caregiver interactions.