Efficacy of Three Head-Pointing Devices for a Mouse Emulation Task
By Anson, Denis, MS, OTR/L; Lawler, Gretchen, OTS; Kissinger, Alexis, OTS; Timko, Megan, OTS; Tuminski, Jason, OTS; Drew, Brian, OTS; Assistive Technology, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 140-150Publication Date: Winter 2002
Study compares the functional performance of the HeadMaster Plus, Tracker 2000, and Tracer, which are head-pointing mouse emulation devices designed for computer users with upper extremity disabilities that prevent them from using a standard mouse. Each device was used to produce a series of drawings of similar complexity until the participants achieved a stable level of performance. The number of trials required to achieve mastery, the speed of drawing at mastery, and the accuracy of drawings was compared and contrasted among the devices. Each of the products proved to be the fastest for some participants, but the HeadMaster Plus produced the most consistently fast drawing times. Results indicated that although performance of the devices was similar, participant performance was driven by comfort more than by performance. The two fastest devices, the HeadMaster Plus and Tracer, both resulted in complaints regarding comfort, while the Tracker 2000 was preferred for comfort even though it was slightly slower in performance.
Assistive Products Discussed: TRACKER 2000
HEADMASTER PLUS (MODEL HM-3P)
BOOST TRACER
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J46747
