Journal article
Which Activity Tracker Features Matter to You? Older Black Participants Living with Memory Challenges and Care Partner Preferences
Innovation in aging, v 10(4), igag011
31 Jan 2026
PMID: 41853222
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background and Objectives
There is a need to understand Black older adults’ perceptions and attitudes about commercial activity trackers to measure and monitor outcomes in clinical trials. We sought to identify the preferred activity tracker features of Black older adults living with memory challenges or dementia and their care partners.
Methods
Utilizing a mixed-methods convergent parallel design, 9 participants were recruited from Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. Data were collected through 2 focus groups with participants (n = 3) and care partners (n = 4), and a group interview with 1 participant and 2 care partners. The focus groups were guided by semi-structured interviews, whereas participants interacted with 4 common consumer activity tracking devices (Fitbit Inspire 3, Apple Watch SE, Polar Watch, Oura Ring Heritage). Audio recordings were analyzed using the Rapid Identification of Themes from Audio Recordings method. Participants ranked each device based on comfort, convenience, and features (eg, tracked outcomes of activity, distance/GPS, and respiratory rate). Device rankings were summarized with descriptive statistics.
Results
Participants with memory challenges rated Apple Watch SE highest, with mean scores in comfort (4.3), convenience (3.3), and features (4.3). Care partners rated Fitbit Inspire 3 highest in comfort and Apple Watch SE for convenience and features. Qualitative findings highlighted physical attributes and comfort (large screen size), convenience (viewing progress), and features (having an emergency button and GPS).
Discussion and Implications
Findings can guide the selection of activity trackers in future research for this population and may increase wear time and adherence in clinical trials.
Metrics
1 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Which Activity Tracker Features Matter to You? Older Black Participants Living with Memory Challenges and Care Partner Preferences
- Creators
- Rebecca K F Lassell - Indiana UniversityChristopher J CareyLola Sample - Indiana University BloomingtonHanley Elftmann - A.T. Still UniversityLaura N Gitlin - Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health ProfessionsJaroslaw Harezlak - Indiana University BloomingtonRichard J Holden - Indiana University BloomingtonAmber L Pearson - University of WashingtonEvan Jordan - Regenstrief InstituteNiCole Keith - Indiana University BloomingtonKathleen Unroe - Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis
- Publication Details
- Innovation in aging, v 10(4), igag011
- Publisher
- OXFORD UNIV PRESS
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- National Institutes of Health: U54AG063546 National Institute on Aging
This work was funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U54AG063546, which funds NIA Imbedded Pragmatic Alzheimer's and AD-Related Dementias Clinical Trials Collaboratory (NIA IMPACT Collaboratory). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing and Health Professions
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001716567400001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105033128635
- Other Identifier
- 991022170456604721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Source: SDGs in the Output
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Geriatrics & Gerontology
- Gerontology