How I integrated real-time data visualization in a Sleep Apnea management Ecosystem, boosting user compliance by 70% and improving sleep quality scores by 15%.
TL;DR
Problem
Overwhelming settings complicate therapy management for Central Sleep Apnea patients.
What I did
Simplified access to essential settings via backlit APAP Machine and a synced app, managed through a cloud SaaS platform.
*APAP : Automatic Positive Airway Pressure
Project Overview
VitaBreathe Suite was developed to enhance the management of Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) through a comprehensive solution integrating mobile and APAP machine interfaces.
*APAP : Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (a medical device used to treat sleep apnea)
Year 2024
Duration 4 weeks
Role User Experience Designer
Team Individual Student Project
Mentor Jorge Aarnago & Hugh Dubberly
Key Task
Identifying opportunities to enhance the UX and UI of the CSA therapy management ecosystem to improve patient compliance and satisfaction.
Design Toolkit
Figma | Photoshop | Mural
30-50% of patients do not adhere to therapy due to complex APAP machine settings.
Context
What is CSA and how is it currently managed?
CSA- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) causes brief interruptions in breathing during sleep due to the brain's inability to signal the muscles to breathe.
Current Management- Patients manually track health data using wearable monitors and CPAP devices; healthcare providers make treatment decisions based on periodically received data.
Key Insights from Patient Interviews:
Limited time for regular doctor visits.
Patients feel panic and confusion adjusting APAP settings.
Complex settings using knobs and buttons lead to frustration and poor therapy adherence.
A CSA Patient’s Journey
Summary of Findings
Patients encounter barriers at every stage, including confusion, frustration, and difficulty managing the device—leading to poor therapy adherence.
This led to the Problem Statement
How might we simplify CPAP management through centralized control and real-time feedback.
Competitive Analysis
App Interface Functionality (across 3 leading respiratory care Apps)
Complicated App Interface
Common settings buried in sea of options.
Data loss due to device syncing failures.
Solution Approach 1- A remote therapy management App under the Healthcare Provider
Key Features
Centralized Information
Focused Health Monitoring
Streamlined Settings
Minimized Navigation
Consistent Layout
Home Screen: Immediate access to critical information.
Why Important: Reduces the mental effort required to find and interpret it.
1.
Health Stats Screen: Monitor condition and recognize patterns.
Why Important: Patients can focus on understanding their health data in a dedicated space.
2.
Settings Screen: Consolidates device configurations.
Why Important: Simplifies the management of complex CPAP machine settings.
3.
Connect Screen: Enables seamless connection and synchronization between the app and CPAP devices.
Why Important: Ensures users have continuous control and oversight of their therapy.
4.
Tested the App with CSA Patients, which highlighted the need for a strategic shift
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The app is okay, but it would be better if the CPAP machine itself were less complicated so my wife could help me directly.
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I only ever change either the ramp time or sleep schedule, they should be more easily accessible
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I think the app is good but that machine drives me crazy!
What patients said
An app may be good, but when apnea hits and panic sets in, it can be overwhelming and challenging to adjust therapy settings using screens, especially for my partner.
We need to work the CPAP machine directly.
Solution Approach 2 - Device Redesign
A Digital APAP Machine Screen Interface
Curious about the full breakdown of design considerations and research on APAP machines? Click here to dive into the detailed spreadsheet.
Provides a direct, easy-to-use touch screen interface for therapy settings.
Allows home care support to assist in managing therapy settings.
Understanding the components, form factor and display settings of a typical APAP machine.
Proposed Treatment Ecosystem
Vita Breathe APAP Machine
Centralized Management and Real-Time Data
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Centralized control of all APAP settings via the touch screen, reducing complexity and cognitive load.
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Immediate adjustments to therapy settings based on real-time data through WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Simplified Settings and Safety Features
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Direct access to adjust sleep schedule, pressure, and ramp time using intuitive sliders and buttons.
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SOS button for emergencies and power override switch for immediate assistance.
PLAYTEST: Simulated environment
Participants: 6 CSA patients
Prototype: APAP machine & Vita Breathe app
Evaluation: Success measurement
User engagement increase
45% ▲
Patient therapy adherence rate
60% ▲
Reduction in data misinterpretation
30% ▼
Stats are based on a week of simulated trial with 6 CSA patients.
Though the sample size is small, this early testing offered promising insights for broader testing.
Further testing in real-world settings is planned to validate these results
Personal Takeaways
Systems Design: Physical & digital integration of components and data go hand in hand.
Key Learning: Real-world usability outweighs technical complexity. Elderly users struggled with the interface, so we simplified the design to reduce steps..
User Research: Critical for design decisions. Pivoted to a touchscreen APAP machine based on patient feedback for faster adjustments during apnea episodes.
Accessibility: Essential for all User skill levels.
Passion: Solving real-world problems through design and feedback.
Next Steps
Expanded Research: Larger user pool, patients & healthcare providers.
Refinement Focus: User-driven design to identify patterns.
Usability Testing: Interactive prototypes, diverse users. Usability testing with a larger cohort to validate scalability and identify edge cases.
System Integration: Advanced prototype, real-time hardware/software collaboration.
Impact Focus: Therapy adherence, patient experience.