SenseHarmony is a mobile application designed to monitor and help regulate sensory perception in adults through personalised sensory diets. The project focuses on addressing the gap in research surrounding sensory regulation in the general adult population.
MSc Dissertation Project
Project Duration: 3 months (July 2024 - September 2024)
Platform: Mobile
SenseHarmony is a mobile application designed to help adults regulate their sensory perception through personalised sensory diets. Sensory processing refers to how we interpret sensory inputs from the environment, including the five basic senses as well as proprioception, interoception, and vestibular systems. Sensory regulation involves managing these inputs to prevent overstimulation (hypersensitivity) or under-stimulation (hyposensitivity).
Sensory diets are structured sets of activities tailored to an individual's sensory profile, originally used for children but now explored for adult applications in this study.
While tools and resources exist for children with sensory processing difficulties, there is a lack of solutions geared towards adults in the general population. Many adults are unaware of sensory regulation terms and the activities available to help manage their sensory sensitivities. The goal of this research was to develop a mobile app that provides personalised sensory diets for adults, bridging this gap and offering sensory management support.
- Investigate awareness of sensory processing and regulation among adults in general population.
- Examine which sensory regulation activities and coping mechanisms are most effective among adults in general population in managing sensory challenges.
- Identify specific sensory triggers and processing difficulties that adults in the general population have and how these affect their daily lives.
- Design a mobile application to assess sensory perception in adults and provide personalised sensory diets for effective regulation.
A convergent mixed-methods approach was chosen, combining quantitative data from a survey with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews and usability testing. This method enabled the triangulation of data to provide a comprehensive view of adults' sensory processing needs and app usability.
Sensory diets are structured sets of activities tailored to an individual's sensory profile, originally used for children but now explored for adult applications in this study.
-
Sample size and
Recruitment:
27 participants responded to the questionnaire, out of which 22 were female and 5 males, aged 18-30. -
Process:
Participants completed an online survey that included sections on demographics, sensory awareness, sensory sensitivities, and interest in a sensory regulation app.
-
Tools Used:
-
Analysis:
The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Likert scales. Cross-tabulation was used to explore relationships between sensory sensitivities and awareness levels.
-
Sample size and
Recruitment:
13 participants (8 female, 5 male) from various countries including the UK, India, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and China. -
Process:
Interviews covered sensory triggers, experiences, and coping strategies. Participants also engaged in concept testing of the wireframes.
-
Tools Used:
-
Analysis:
Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes such as sensory triggers (e.g., loud noises, bright lights), behaviours (sensory-seeking or sensory-avoiding), and management strategies.
4 themes emerged from thematic
analysis of the interview data -
1.Sensory Triggers, 2. Sensory Behaviours, 3. Impact
on Daily Life, 4. Coping Mechanisms
Concept Testing
was conducted where participants were shown initial wireframes and were asked to interact
with the initial prototype. This was followed by a follow-up interview which gathered
feedback on their experience.
Affinity Mapping was used for analysing feedback.
Themes such as initial impressions, usability, layout, design and content were
explored through the feedback. The feedback was later analysed and used to design
high-fidelity mock-ups.
Usability testing was conducted on 5 participants. Coperative Evaluation with task-based usability testing sessions were conducted where the participants were asked to perform 5 different tasks.
- Log Mood
- Complete/Check-Off an Activity from Sensory Diet
- Customise Sensory Diet
- Access Report
- Learn About Unknown Terms
Affinity Mapping was used to analysed feedback from both concept and usability testings.
3 common insights were identified in the testing phase:
General Usability
Issues with small buttons, text-heavy content.
Personalisation
Need for a greater ability to adjust sensory diet timings and personal sensory diets.
Educational Content
Knowledge screens were overwhelming, need for different formats for learning.
Upon triangulating the results, 3 common themes emerged from both qualitative and quantitative data.
-
Awareness Gaps
Questionnaires, Interviews, Usability testing highlighted a significant gap in the awareness of sensory processing and terms
-
Common Sensory triggers
Auditory, Vestibular and Olfactory stimuli consistently emerged as triggers across interviews and questionnaire.
-
Personalisation
Both concept and usability testing showed a strong interest in personalised activities in SenseHarmony.
