Scenario-based Investigation of Acceptance of Electric Muscle Stimulation

Abstract

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) provides multiple interaction possibilities in various fields. It may transmit object affordances, user motions or give rich haptic feedback by adjusting stimulation settings, especially in virtual worlds. Parameters necessary to accept EMS, impacting how users perceive the technology, are yet not thoroughly studied. We investigated users' acceptance of EMS by conducting an online survey (N=113) and an interview (N=5) study using four scenarios derived from the literature. We used the technology acceptance paradigm (TAM) to assess user acceptance and gathered factors for accepting/rejecting the technology. By connecting survey results and participants' impressions of the four EMS scenarios to emerging themes, we can show that potential users reject EMS systems if they perceive a high level of risk and a lack of the sense of agency. We drew inferences based on our findings that will guide in designing and developing products that provide acceptable experiences.