Good vibrations: Do electrical therapeutic massagers work?
Health, leisure and beauty activities are increasing in popularity, with aparticular emphasis on self-help and alternative health practices. One producttype that has increased sales with this expansion is the hand-held electricmassager. These are products that use vibration as a means of alleviatingmuscular strains and pains, as well as promoting relaxation. Paradoxically,these products are extremely popular as gifts, but are soon discarded. Amulti-disciplinary research team was commissioned by a British manufacturerof electrical consumer products to investigate user attitudes andperceptions of existing massagers, to identify areas of user dissatisfaction.The manufacturer was also concerned about a possible stigma attached tothese products because of an association with sex aids. This paper provides anaccount of the perceptions of both consumers and therapists regarding theuse of these products. Identifying the differences between the perceptions ofconsumers and therapists should help provide a basis for effective integrationof user needs, manufacturer requirements, designers’ skills and soundtherapeutic practice. The results provide insight to support the developmentof more effective hand-held massagers.
Year of publication: |
2005-05
|
---|---|
Authors: | Macdonagh, D ; Wilson, L ; Haslam, C ; Weightman, D |
Publisher: |
Taylor and Francis |
Subject: | Electric massagers | User-centred design | Supra-functionality |
Saved in:
freely available
Saved in favorites
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