Key result
Elderly adults experienced significantly higher failure rates setting the date and time on the Accu-Chek meter compared to younger adults (79% vs 12%).
Why the study?
Does age affect the usability and task performance of self-monitoring blood glucose meters?
Cross-Sectional (n=45)
Does age affect the usability and task performance of self-monitoring blood glucose meters?
Absolute Event Rate: 79% vs 12%
Current blood glucose meters present significant usability challenges for elderly adults compared to younger adults, highlighting the need for age-appropriate design.
Age-related usability barriers may increase SMBG errors in older adults; leaves open whether age-specific designs improve adherence or outcomes.
This study examines the overall usability of current, commercially available self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) meters in order to highlight how the design affects the performance of younger and older adults. Sixteen younger participants (18-27) and 29 elderly participants (65-85) attempted to complete two tasks: 1) set date/time and 2) perform a control solution test, using two meters: the Accu-Check Compact Plus® and 2) the One Touch Ultra 2®. Overall, elderly participants had significantly more difficulty completing the two tasks and committed significantly more errors than younger participants. When using the Accu-Chek® meter to set the date and time 79% of elderly adults failed compared to 12% of younger adults. When using the One Touch® meter, 21% of elderly adults failed to complete the task while none of the younger adults failed. Across the two tasks, elderly participants made, on average, an additional 1.6 errors compared to those in the younger group.
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Jones et al. (2017) conducted a cross-sectional in Self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) meter usability (n=45). Elderly age (65-85 years) vs. Younger age (18-27 years) was evaluated on Failure to set date and time using the Accu-Chek meter. Elderly adults experienced significantly higher failure rates setting the date and time on the Accu-Chek meter compared to younger adults (79% vs 12%).
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