Perceived Acceptability of a Proposed Ear-Worn Device in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis
A survey study with 47 participants assessed the acceptability of an ear-worn device for monitoring heart rate and ear temperature, which includes localized neck cooling. Key features reported as important included comfort during use (72.3%), health reporting (93.6%), and communication capabilities (91.5%). 46.8% of participants found the device somewhat acceptable.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Not graded
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
Understanding user preferences and acceptability is crucial for the development of assistive devices for people with Multiple Sclerosis, potentially influencing future design and functionality.
What this does not prove
The study did not perform any technical feasibility or device performance testing, and the findings reflect concept-level acceptability rather than actual after-use satisfaction.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Not reported
- Participants / samples
- Not reported
- Randomised
- No
- Controlled
- No
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-18
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- Adults with Multiple Sclerosis
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
Supporting passages (10)
sample size basisResults: Forty-seven participants completed the survey.
randomizedNo
controlledNo
publication date2026-10-18
interventionTitle: Perceived Acceptability, Design Preferences, and User Requirements for a Proposed Ear-Worn Device for Heart-Rate and Ear-Temperature Monitoring with Localized Neck Cooling: A Pre-Prototype Mixed-Methods Study in People with Multiple Sclerosis.
populationTitle: Perceived Acceptability, Design Preferences, and User Requirements for a Proposed Ear-Worn Device for Heart-Rate and Ear-Temperature Monitoring with Localized Neck Cooling: A Pre-Prototype Mixed-Methods Study in People with Multiple Sclerosis.
findingsComfort during prolonged use (72.3%) and compatibility with prescription glasses (66.0%) were the design features most often rated important; health reports (93.6%), communication with healthcare providers (91.5%), symptom monitoring (89.4%), emergency contact (85.1%), and automatic cooling activation (83.0%) were each rated important by more than 80% of participants, with overlapping confidence intervals that do not permit these functions to be ranked.
limitationsTitle: Perceived Acceptability, Design Preferences, and User Requirements for a Proposed Ear-Worn Device for Heart-Rate and Ear-Temperature Monitoring with Localized Neck Cooling: A Pre-Prototype Mixed-Methods Study in People with Multiple Sclerosis.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
subjectsTitle: Perceived Acceptability, Design Preferences, and User Requirements for a Proposed Ear-Worn Device for Heart-Rate and Ear-Temperature Monitoring with Localized Neck Cooling: A Pre-Prototype Mixed-Methods Study in People with Multiple Sclerosis.
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