Skip to main content
. 2024 Mar 7;11:e51116. doi: 10.2196/51116

Table 2.

Opinions about the different design features of the SensoGrip pen. Occupational therapists (OTs) and children’s opinions were obtained from the interviews, and parents’ ratings were obtained using the questionnaire.

Design feature Opinions

Children Parents OTs
Overall appearance and design

  • “Good” (12/13, 92%)

  • “Medium” (C14; aged 6 y)

  • Very suitable: 2/5, 40%

  • Suitable: 3/5, 60%

 —a
Size and weight

  • “Good” (C3; aged 6 y)

  • “Heavier than a conventional pen but great” (C15; aged 8 y)

  • “Should be a little bit thinner” (C1; aged 6 y)

  • Size

    • Very suitable: 1/5, 20%

    • Suitable: 2/5, 40%

    • Indifferent: 1/5, 20%

    • Not suitable: 1/5, 20%

    • Comments—Too thick (2/5, 40%)

  • Weight

    • Suitable: 3/5, 60%

    • Mediocre: 2/5, 40%

  • Shape

    • Suitable: 3/5, 60%

    • Indifferent: 2/5, 40%

  • “Okay, but could be smaller, thinner, and lighter for better fit for children. Pen’s tip could be a little bit shorter.”
Material and haptics

  • “Pleasant” (C3; aged 6 y)

  • “It can be held well” (C1; aged 6 y)

  • Very suitable: 2/5, 40%

  • Suitable: 3/5, 60%

  • “Anti-slip surface was good. Grip moulds could help some children to ensure ergonomic grip.”
Finger sensor position — —

  • “For some children hard to position fingers on the sensor, to ensure correct pressure measurements. Sensor should be placed nearer towards the pen’s tip.”
LED position —

  • LED should be positioned on the proximal end of the pen (1/5, 20%)

  • “LED should be positioned on the proximal end of the pen for younger children (ensures better sight of the LED) and on the distal end for older children (ensures simultaneous sight of LED and written text).”
LED

  • “Funny when it lights up” (C15; aged 8 y)

  • “Not bright enough” (C3; aged 6 y)

  • Colored LED motivated children (3/5, 60%), but also distracted one child (1/5, 20%)

  • Wish for acoustic feedback (2/5, 40%)

  • “Should be brighter. Some wished additional acoustic and/or vibration feedback.”
Pen’s tip and refill

  • “Well slipping pen tip” (C3; aged 6 y)

  • Tip runs smoothly on the paper (3/5, 60%)

  • Ink not erasable (2/5, 40%)

  • Pencil lead would be better (3/5, 60%)

  • “Pencil lead would be better for younger children, colored pencil lead even better. Roller pen ink should be erasable.”
Battery —

  • Runs down too fast (2/5, 40%)

  • Battery display missing (1/5, 20%)

  • “Poor” battery (1/5, 20%)

 —

aNot available.