Reco is a digital ecosystem used by rehabilitation centers to help patients suffering from paralysis through their recovery process after undergoing a non-invasive treatment. The system uses groundbreaking EEG technology from the UCLA Health Department.
I was responsible for user-research, interaction design of products, prototyping the digital components, as well as rapid prototyping during usability tests. I continued to work with a UCLA engineer after the project in order to fine tune the digital product experience.
Reco
User Experience, User Interface, Product Design
Project Members : Christine Xiang, Klaire Tsai, Kiki Wang
2019
At the rehabilitation center with the therapist
Using Reco devices at home independently
How the system works.
Paraplegic patients access RECO via their Rehabilitation Centers. The Rehabilitation center rents out the device to the patient and takes them through a recovery program. They take the device home once they have learnt to use it effectively.
Common, Costly, Painful
Focusing on
Recovery Period
Patients recovering from paralysis typically undergo a long recovery process that may take years for them to adjust to. We interviewed 15 participants who currently suffer or suffered from paralysis. We asked about which part of the recovery process they had the most difficulty with and mapped out their current user journey.
12 out of 15 participants felt that the period of having to go to the rehab center frequently for exercises was the most difficult period to adjust to. Having their independence lost all of a sudden really affected them.
We decided to focus on the period immediately after they have undergone treatment and are going for physical therapy sessions frequently the rehab center. We also wanted to focus on how they could independently use our designs at home.
Design Criteria
Based on studying the different types of paralysis, understanding the technology, insights from user interviews with paraplegic patients and physical therapists, and various posture studies, we decided on a design criteria for the various RECO devices. Overall, the devices had to be cost-effective and give patient's their independence.
Reco Patch
Designing a modular, flexible form for personalization.
We worked with electrical engineers to understand the technological requirements as well as patient’s needs to design the form.
Reco App Design Criteria
Designing for easy readability and workflow
Methods used to assess design:
Indirect and direct competitive analysis
Contextual inquiry at therapist's office
Usability testing with low-fidelity to high-fidelity prototypes
Issues & insights with current interfaces:
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A phone app does not work well with the therapist’s workflow. They need to be viewing multiple sets of data in reference to each other.
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Therapists have to go back and fourth in between tests to input data and record data into the computer with current medical systems.
Reco App
Key Interactions
Reco Transmitter
Designing for independence.
1.
Therapists select which electrodes should be active.
They store it under a new mode (eg. Excercise1 ) for easy access after.
2.
Therapists adjust the channels.
3.
Therapists can record and replay EMG data while patients are doing small tasks.
Reco Transmitter
Designing for Independence.
Brand Guidelines
Designing for the medical industry
We did a market analysis of the various healthcare brands to better understand the industry. Trust is critical. We trust healthcare providers with our lives. That’s a huge responsibility, and one that prompts us to look for professionals who embody trust, authority, stability and tranquility.
The healthcare industry relies on blue as a primary provider more than any other industry. Blue represents cleanliness, professionalism and calmness. In order to give the brand some personality, we added orange as a secondary color. Orange gives off a warm, invigorating tone, yet has a sense of urgency.
Typography, Color and other UI Elements
