Tapping into Touch Preferences and Individual Behaviours: Assessing and Improving the HandsOn Mobile App
摘要
To address the pervasive issue of loneliness and enhance well-being through touch, it is crucial to understand individual needs and preferences regarding touch. Assessing these touch behaviors and preferences remotely requires innovative methods that enable the exploration and expression of feelings related to self-touch and touch from others. This study utilizes an existing 3D tool, previously employed in empirical research, and presents an improved version with various exercises designed to enhance user engagement and effectiveness. A comprehensive user experience (UX) study was conducted to identify potential improvements and evaluate the app's overall efficacy. The UX data revealed a generally positive reception, with users providing satisfactory ratings. However, feedback also indicated areas for enhancement, particularly concerning the app's user interface (UI) and overall user-friendliness. Additionally, by comparing exercise types, we corroborate findings that show significant improvements to user wellbeing with self-touch and imagined touch exercises. These findings suggest that while the current version of the app is effective, there is substantial potential for improvement to better meet user needs and preferences. This study highlights the importance of continuous refinement and user-centered design in the development of digital tools aimed at reducing loneliness and promoting well-being through touch.