Perceived Usability of ZoomTM for a Single-Session Telehealth Fall-Risk Screening in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Authors

  • Rolando Lazaro California State University, Sacramento, California, USA
  • Amie Marie Jasper University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, St. Augustine, Florida, USA
  • Rania Karim MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  • Carmina (Minnie) Rafael University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Miami, Florida, USA
  • Eleazar Tayag Imperial Home Health, Victorville, California, USA
  • Samuel John Montecalvo Uy James A Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
  • Rodiel Kirby Baloy College of St Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota, USA; Graceland University, Independence, Missouri, USA
  • Arvie Vitente Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63144/ijt.2026.6750

Keywords:

Allied health, Occupational therapy, Physical therapy, Screening, System usability, Telerehabilitation

Abstract

The increased utilization of telehealth services necessitates systematic evaluation of patients’ experiences with technologies, tools, and interventions adapted for the remote delivery of rehabilitation programs. This study examined the usability of Zoom™ as a telehealth platform for delivering a virtual fall-risk screening program in older adults. A convenience sample of community-dwelling older adults participated in a single virtual fall-risk screening session conducted via Zoom. Following the session, participants completed the 9-item System Usability Scale (SUS). Thirty participants (mean age = 71.47 years, SD = 5.97) completed the study. The mean SUS score was 76.30 (95% CI [71.47, 82.03]), exceeding the established benchmark of 68 for average usability and approaching the threshold of 80, indicative of excellent usability. Subscale analysis demonstrated that scores for perceived complexity, ease of use, and user confidence exceeded benchmark values, whereas learnability yielded more variable results. Overall, Zoom demonstrated good usability for virtual fall-risk screening in older adults. Participants reported that the platform was easy to use and facilitated confidence, supporting its suitability for remote telerehabilitation screening and intervention delivery.

  

References

Bangor, A., Kortum, P. T., & Miller, J. T. (2008). An empirical evaluation of the System Usability Scale. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 24(6), 574–594. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447310802205776 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10447310802205776

Bangor, A., Kortum, P. T., & Miller, J. T. (2009). Determining what individual SUS scores mean: Adding an adjective rating scale. Journal of User Experience, 4(3), 114–123. https://uxpajournal.org/determining-what-individual-sus-scores-mean-adding-an-adjective-rating-scale/

Brooke, J. (1996). SUS: A “quick and dirty” usability scale. In P. W. Jordan, B. Thomas, B. A. Weerdmeester, & A. L. McClelland (Eds.), Usability Evaluation in Industry (pp. 189–194). Taylor & Francis.

Cahill, M., Cleary, B. J., & Cullinan, S. (2025). The influence of electronic health record design on usability and medication safety: Systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12060-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12060-2

Cook, D. A., & Beckman, T. J. (2006). Current concepts in validity and reliability for psychometric instruments: Theory and application. American Journal of Medicine, 119(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.10.036 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.10.036

De Cola, M. C., Maresca, G., D'Aleo, G., Carnazza, L., Giliberto, S., Maggio, M. G., Bramanti, A., & Calabrò, R. S. (2020). Teleassistance for frail elderly people: A usability and customer satisfaction study. Geriatric Nursing, 41(4), 463–467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.01.019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.01.019

Finstad, K. (2006). The System Usability Scale and non-native English speakers. Journal of Usability Studies, 1(4), 185–188. https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.5555/2835531.2835535

Ghorayeb, A., Darbyshire, J. L., Wronikowska, M. W., & Watkinson, P. J. (2023). Design and validation of a new Healthcare Systems Usability Scale (HSUS) for clinical decision support systems. BMJ Open, 13(1), e065323. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065323 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065323

Happe, L., Sgraja, M., Hein, A., Quinten, V., & Diekmann, R. (2023). Usability and feasibility of a tablet-based e-coach for older adults in rehabilitation units to improve nutrition and physical activity: A prospective pilot study. BMC Geriatrics, 23, 578. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04204-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04204-6

Hyzy, M., Bond, R., Mulvenna, M., Bai, L., Dix, A., Leigh, S., & Hunt S. (2022). System Usability Scale benchmarking for digital health apps: Meta-analysis. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 10(8), e37290. https://doi.org/10.2196/37290 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/37290

Jasper, A., Chamberlain, D., & Lazaro, R. (2023). Teleassessment of balance and gait outcome measures in older adults: A systematic review. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, 39(4), 288–293. https://doi.org/10.1097/TGR.0000000000000412 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/TGR.0000000000000412

Jasper, A., Karim, R., Vitente, A. C., Rafael, C. M., Tayag, E., Uy, S. J. M., Baloy, R. K., & Lazaro, R. (2025). Concurrent validity and reliability of in-person and supervised remote STEADI fall risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 48(3), 116-124. https://doi.org/10.1519/JPT.0000000000000446 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1519/JPT.0000000000000446

Karim, R., Jasper, A., Uy, S. J. M., Tayag, E., Vitente, A. C., & Lazaro, R. (2023). Feasibility of Timed Up and Go administered via telerehabilitation in older adults: A pilot study. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, 39(4), 229–234. https://doi.org/10.1097/TGR.0000000000000406 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/TGR.0000000000000406

Keenan, H. L., Duke, S. L., Wharrad, H. J., Doody, G. A., & Patel, R. S. (2022). Usability: An introduction to and literature review of usability testing for educational resources in radiation oncology. Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 24, 67–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tipsro.2022.09.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tipsro.2022.09.001

Khamaj, A., & Ali, A. M. (2024). Examining the usability and accessibility challenges in mobile health applications for older adults. Alexandria Engineering Journal. 102, 179-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2024.06.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2024.06.002

Kortum, P., & Peres, S. C. (2014). The relationship between system effectiveness and subjective usability scores using the System Usability Scale. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 30(7), 575–584. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2014.904177 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2014.904177

Lewis, J. R. (2018). The System Usability Scale: Past, present, and future. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 34(7), 577–590. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2018.1455307 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2018.1455307

Lewis, J. R., & Sauro, J. (2018). Item benchmarks for the System Usability Scale. Journal of Usability Studies, 13(3), 158–167. https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/3294033.3294037

Lin, C. A., Neafsey, P. J., & Strickler, Z. (2009). Usability testing by older adults of a computer-mediated health communication program. Journal of Health Communication, 14(2), 102–118. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730802659095 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730802659095

Lyon, A. R., Pullmann, M. D., Jacobson, J., Osterhage, K., Al Achkar, M., Renn, B. N., Muson, S. A., & Arean, P. A. (2021). Assessing the usability of complex psychosocial interventions: The Intervention Usability Scale. Implementation Research and Practice, 2, 2633489520987828. https://doi.org/10.1177/2633489520987828 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2633489520987828

Mol, M., van Schaik, A., Dozeman, E., Ruwaard, J., Vis, C., Ebert, D. D., Etzelmueller, A., Mathiasen, K., Moles, B., Mora, T., Pedersen, C. D., Skjøth, M. M., Pensado, L. P., Piera-Jimenez, J., Gokcay, D., Ince, B. Ü., Russi, A., Sacco, Y., Zanalda, E., Zabala, A. F., & Smit, J. H. (2020). Dimensionality of the System Usability Scale among professionals using internet-based interventions for depression: A confirmatory factor analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 20(1), 218. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02627-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02627-8

Peres, S. C., Pham, T., & Phillips, R. (2013). Validation of the System Usability Scale (SUS): SUS in the Wild. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 57(1), 192–196. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541931213571043 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1541931213571043

Perotti, L., Stamm, O., Ferizaj, D., Dietrich, M., Buchem, I., & Müller-Werdan, U. (2025). Evaluation of an e-learning platform promoting electronic personal health record competence: A pilot trial in older adults. BMC Public Health, 25, 1016. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22242-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22242-0

Sauro, J., & Lewis, J. R. (2009). The factor structure of the System Usability Scale. In M. Kurosu (Ed.), Human centered design (pp. 94–103). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02806-9_12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02806-9_12

Sandars, J. (2010). The importance of usability testing to allow e-learning to reach its potential for medical education. Education for Primary Care, 21(1), 6–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/14739879.2010.11493869 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14739879.2010.11493869

Seron, P., Oliveros, M. J., Gutierrez-Arias, R., Fuentes-Aspe, R., Torres-Castro, R. C., Merino-Osorio, C., Nahuelhual, P., Inostroza, J., Jalil, Y., Solano, R., Marzuca-Nassr, G. N., Aguilera-Eguía, R., Lavados-Romo, P., Soto-Rodríguez, F. J., Sabelle, C., Villarroel-Silva, G., Gomolán, P., Huaiquilaf, S., & Sanchez, P. (2021). Effectiveness of telerehabilitation in physical therapy: A rapid overview. Physical Therapy, 101(6), pzab053. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab053

Tenforde, A. S., Borgstrom, H., Polich, G., Steere, H., Davis, I. S., Cotton, K., O'Donnell, M., & Silver, J. K. (2020). Outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy synchronous telemedicine: A survey study of patient satisfaction with virtual visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 99(11), 977–981. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000001571 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000001571

Tenforde, A. S., Hefner, J. E., Kodish-Wachs, J. E., Iaccarino, M. A., & Paganoni, S. (2017). Telehealth in physical medicine and rehabilitation: A narrative review. PM&R: The Journal of Injury, Function, and Rehabilitation, 9(5S), S51–S58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2017.02.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2017.02.013

Wang, Q., Liu, J., Zhou, L., Tian, J., Chen, X., Zhang, W., Wang, H., Zhou, W., & Gao, Y. (2022). Usability evaluation of mHealth apps for elderly individuals: A scoping review. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 22(1), 317. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-022-02064-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-022-02064-5

Wosik, J., Fudim, M., Cameron, B., Gellad, Z. F., Cho, A., Phinney, D., Curtis, S., Roman, M., Poon, E. G., Ferranti, J., Katz, J. N., & Tcheng, J. (2020). Telehealth transformation: COVID-19 and the rise of virtual care. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 27(6), 957–962. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa067 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa067

Downloads

Published

2026-06-24

How to Cite

Lazaro, R., Jasper, A. M., Karim, R., Rafael, C. (Minnie), Tayag, E., Montecalvo Uy, S. J., … Vitente, A. (2026). Perceived Usability of ZoomTM for a Single-Session Telehealth Fall-Risk Screening in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.63144/ijt.2026.6750

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Clinical Research

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Rolando Lazaro, Amie Marie Jasper , Rania Karim, Carmina (Minnie) Rafael, Eleazar Tayag, Samuel John Montecalvo, Rodiel Kirby Baloy, Arvie Vitente

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.