Wave
wristband to reduce body check behaviour for anorexia nervosa population
Project Overview
For a class project on health and well-being, I aimed to design a product to help people with anorexia nervosa (AN) reduce body check behaviour. In 8 weeks, I gathered user needs, applied psychology theories, and designed and reiterated the product Wave wristband.
Role
UX researcher & UI designer
Tools
Python, Figma, Ardruino
Problem
Body check is the behaviour to validate beliefs of one's own body. Common body check behaviours among the AN population include feeling one's own bones and measuring body parts with hands. These behaviours deepen unhealthy mindsets and self-harm behaviours, yet no products can effectively reduce body checks. Therefore, I explored how to reduce body check behaviours among the AN population.
Outcome
I designed a wristband to detect and intervene ongoing body check behaviour and enhance users' motivation to reduce body check.
Procedure
By understanding users and incorporating psychology theories, I designed a wristband aiming to reduce body check behaviour without triggering users. Throughout the design process, I sympathised with users and explored the balance between psychological therapies and daily users' routine.
Body check is the behaviour to validate beliefs related to one's own body. Common body check behaviours among AN population include feeling one's own bones and measuring body parts with hands.
I gathered users' needs by analysing Reddit posts containing "body check" in AN subreddit.
3 main user needs include:
-demotivate body check: gradually eliminate body check motivations through education and cognitive restoration
-break body check habits: monitor and intervene real-time body check intention or behaviours
-reduce impact of negative feelings: soothe users' negative emotions and promote positive thoughts about themselves
I found that users in different AN stages have different needs, suggesting a multi-stage product.
Understand Our Users
Personas of 2 types of users.
Ideating and Prototyping
To induce behaviour change for users' with different goals and pain points, I analysed users' goals and motivations using the Transtheoretical Model. Within the same "detection + reminder" frame, I twisted the interaction flow to target different users. Users can also shift between stages according to their current body check status.
I chose wristband as the form of the product because it can easily detect hand gestures and movements and remind users with vibration, allowing users to carry the product in different scenarios with minimal attention.
Design rationale based on the Transtheoretical Model.
Meet Wave, a wristband that detects and intervenes in body check behaviour and consolidates users' motivations of reduce body check habits.
Feature 1 - Onboarding
People in different AN stages have different understandings and attitudes of body check. Wave is not a one-fit-all solution. Instead, users can update their attitudes towards body check at any time, and Wave optimises the reminders and detection system.
Feature 2 - Detection
To detect habitual body check behaviour, Wave uses the DNS technology to track hand muscle movement and detect body check gestures. When body check is detected, the wristband vibrates to remind users to stop body checks and pops up messages to encourage users to reduce body checks. Users can also actively report attempts to body check as a substitution to actual body check behaviours.
High-fidelity Prototype of Wave.
Feature 3 - Pop-up Messages
Reducing body checks can be mentally challenging for AN users as they have formed the habit of body check. When body checks are detected or reported, WAVE pops up messages to encourage users to consciously aware and reflect their body check behaviours. Through long-term use of WAVE, users feel supported and motivated to reduce body checks.
Example pop-up message in early body check change stage.
Example pop-up message in middle body check change stage.
Example pop-up message in late body check change stage.
Challenges in Habit Formation
Designing interactions to encourage behavioural change and maintain habits is challenging. This project highlights the importance of targeting the most critical part of behaviour change.
Data Privacy in Wearable Devices
While wearable devices can collect detailed data and interact in embodied ways, it is crucial to set clear boundaries in data usage. Users should have transparency and control over what data is shared and how it is used.
Designing for Behaviour Over Time
Users’ behaviour and motivation change over time. A good design should respond to these changes and gently guides users through different stages in the interaction cycle.
Reflection
Email|loriyanglyly0310@gmail.com
Tel|07423719572
Thank you for your time :)