tes4me
An app for patients with neurological or psychiatric conditions that enables brain stimulation at home, as prescribed by a doctor. The doctor creates a treatment plan, and the patient completes the procedures using a device, a stimulation cap, and the app
digital health
neurostimulation
tes4me
An app for patients with neurological or psychiatric conditions that enables brain stimulation at home, as prescribed by a doctor. The doctor creates a treatment plan, and the patient completes the procedures using a device, a stimulation cap, and the app.
Tes4me is an app for interacting with medical devices that stimulate the brain using electrical impulses. These impulses are transmitted through electrodes connected to a cap that the patient wears on their head
For people with neurological and psychiatric disorders – for rehabilitation, anxiety correction, depression, insomnia, addictions, and recovery after a stroke
ADHD
Depression
Rehabilitation
When the user conducts the procedure at home, they want a simple and intuitive interface that handles all the steps for them, so they can feel confident, as if the procedure was being conducted by a doctor in a clinic
The project was completed at a medical company. Medical Computer Systems operates on a B2B model, selling medical devices and apps to other businesses, such as clinics
The company validated the business idea
Led the project as a solo designer
3 WEEKS
The developer implemented the design
5 WEEKS
Tech exhibit
Before I started, I only knew this, as I had never worked at this company before:
a. this app is for patients
b. users are confused
c. the app involves diagrams of the brain and electrodes
I thought it would be an interesting challenge
a. this app is for patients
b. users are confused
c. the app involves diagrams of the brain and electrodes
I thought it would be an interesting challenge
Patients perform these procedures at home by themselves. They see the electrode connections, attach the electrodes, and then the procedure begins
Before
Patients perform these procedures at home by themselves. They see the electrode connections, attach the electrodes, and then the procedure begins
Before
I constantly have to ask for help to complete the procedure
Sometimes it feels like I've already done the procedure, but the app tells me to do it again
As a doctor, I have to spend a lot of time repeatedly showing how to perform the procedures
problem
Patients find the current interface confusing when performing the procedure at home. This can cause mistakes and make them feel unsure. I need to find usability problems and make the experience clearer and easier to use
❓
😟
I conducted a Cognitive Walkthrough to analyze the current solution and identify weak points. I kept in mind:
a. which interface elements seem unintuitive?
b. where might users make mistakes?
c. which steps cause confusion?
a. which interface elements seem unintuitive?
b. where might users make mistakes?
c. which steps cause confusion?
I had a brainstorming session with the product manager, expert, and developer to generate more hypotheses, as the team works more closely with the product and knows it and the users better than I do. Together, we focused on identifying the key bottleneck in the user journey
We voted and selected the hypotheses that could have the most significant impact on addressing this bottleneck and solving the problem:
You need to scroll through the list of procedures to find the current one
It’s unclear how to start the procedure or what needs to be clicked on the card in the list
There are no instructions on how to connect to the device
The schedule may be outdated if you access the app without connecting to the device
You need to scroll through the list of procedures to find the current one
It’s unclear how to start the procedure or what needs to be clicked on the card in the list
There are no instructions on how to connect to the device
The schedule may be outdated if you access the app without connecting to the device
Press the “START” button on the device as shown in the image above. The process of connecting the device to the app will begin automatically
After discussing with the developer, it became clear that we faced some technical limitations. In the new app version, users can only access it with a connected device, as data is transmitted to the app when connected to the device
SOLUTION
I redesigned the information architecture and introduced 3 tabs. The main tab now displays the current procedure, ensuring that users can quickly see the most important information
Before
After
I redesigned the information architecture and introduced 3 tabs. The main tab now displays the current procedure, ensuring that users can quickly see the most important information
Before
After
I redesigned the information architecture and introduced 3 tabs. The main tab now displays the current procedure, ensuring that users can quickly see the most important information
Before
After
After
After
The procedure begins
Opens the app
Connects
the electrodes to the cap
Turns on the device
Turns on the device
Searches for the current procedure
Connects
the electrodes to the cap
The procedure begins
Enters the procedure
Click on 'Connect'
Opens the app
I also redesigned the user flow for connecting to the device and starting the procedure using the following techniques to reduce cognitive load:
a. removing unnecessary steps
b. combining stages
c. simplifying choices
a. removing unnecessary steps
b. combining stages
c. simplifying choices
AFTER
BEFORE
Opens the app
Turns on the device
Turns on the device
Searches for
the current procedure
Connects the electrodes
to the cap
Connects the electrodes
to the cap
The procedure begins
The procedure begins
Enters the procedure
Click on 'Connect'
Opens the app
I also redesigned the user flow for connecting to the device and starting the procedure using the following techniques to reduce cognitive load:
a. removing unnecessary steps
b. combining stages
c. simplifying choices
a. removing unnecessary steps
b. combining stages
c. simplifying choices
BEFORE
AFTER
New FLOW
And how does it work now after redisign. As I mentioned, the app no longer works without a connected device. If the device is not connected, the app displays a screen asking you to press the button on the device to connect. Once the connection process is complete, you are taken to the main screen of the app
If it’s time for the procedure, this screen appears with a request to connect the electrodes. Once everything is connected, the procedure begins
New FLOW
And how does it work now after redisign. As I mentioned, the app no longer works without a connected device. If the device is not connected, the app displays a screen asking you to press the button on the device to connect. Once the connection process is complete, you are taken to the main screen of the app
If it’s time for the procedure, this screen appears with a request to connect the electrodes. Once everything is connected, the procedure begins
Refinements
I updated the diagram for connecting electrodes.
In the 1 iteration, I improved the visual design by adding outlines of a head with ears and a nose. This helps users better orient themselves and connect the electrodes correctly. For example, it is now easy to understand where the front part of the head is
In the 1 iteration, I improved the visual design by adding outlines of a head with ears and a nose. This helps users better orient themselves and connect the electrodes correctly. For example, it is now easy to understand where the front part of the head is
After
Before
In the 2 iteration, I added a function for advanced users. Sometimes the electrodes may not connect properly, which prevents the procedure from starting due to weak connections and the current not flowing between the electrodes
To improve visual representation, I suggested showing the connection status directly on the diagram. Now, when users click on the chips above, they can immediately see where these electrodes are located on the diagram and find these electrodes more quickly
To improve visual representation, I suggested showing the connection status directly on the diagram. Now, when users click on the chips above, they can immediately see where these electrodes are located on the diagram and find these electrodes more quickly
Before
After
Before, you had to count how many procedures were done and how many were left yourself
Now, you can see all your progress at the top of the app
Now, you can see all your progress at the top of the app
Before, you had to count how many procedures were done and how many were left yourself
Now, you can see all your progress at the top of the app
Now, you can see all your progress at the top of the app
Before
After
Testing
I conducted 5 usability tests with people I know to determine if the problem was solved. The task for the respondent was to complete the procedure
* Instead of a real cap with electrodes, we used an emulator that sent signals to the device as if it were a real cap. I didn’t have access to real users, but the goal was to test the ease of use and interface clarity, so any people would work for this
✔
Critical errors = 0
✔
Minor errors ⩽ 1
(self-corrected without external help)
(self-corrected without external help)
✔
Cognitive load = 48, indicating that the app's interface and process are not overwhelming for users
After Release
After the new update, I only need to show patients how to use the app once or twice. This saves me time
I immediately see the next procedure as soon as I enter the app. It’s very convenient for me, even without technical knowledge
The first time, I had to do everything carefully since it’s an important procedure. After a couple of uses, I do everything automatically
Retrospective
a. The project had very tight deadlines, so many decisions were made verbally. Looking back, I realize it would have been better to document hypotheses, tests, and conclusions more carefully — this would have helped the team reuse our experience in the future
b. If I were working on this project now, I would use a Fishbone Diagram for brainstorming. It helps visually break down all possible causes of a problem — for example, user confusion, from interface and terminology issues to the patient’s condition. This approach would have helped identify the root causes faster
c. I also realize I could have shown more initiative by asking to attend meetings with doctors or clients, even just as a listener. This would have given me a chance to hear real stories firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of the problem
b. If I were working on this project now, I would use a Fishbone Diagram for brainstorming. It helps visually break down all possible causes of a problem — for example, user confusion, from interface and terminology issues to the patient’s condition. This approach would have helped identify the root causes faster
c. I also realize I could have shown more initiative by asking to attend meetings with doctors or clients, even just as a listener. This would have given me a chance to hear real stories firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of the problem
