Input Visualizations to Track Health Data by Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions

A team of researchers led by Shri Harini Ramesh has published a study exploring a novel, tangible approach to health data tracking for older adults managing multiple chronic conditions (MCC). The paper, accepted to the EuroVis 2026 conference, investigates the use of physical input visualizations—where users interact with physical tokens to log daily health metrics—as an alternative to passive digital logging or handwritten notes. The core problem identified is that traditional data collection methods offer little immediate insight or engagement; reflection only happens if users later review accumulated records. This new method embeds the act of sensemaking directly into the daily ritual of data entry.

The researchers conducted a two-week study involving older adults with MCC, who used customizable physical tokens to input their health data. Findings revealed that this tangible, expressive process was not only adopted into daily routines but was also reported as enjoyable and personally meaningful. Participants leveraged the physical markers to reflect on behavioral patterns more serendipitously and effectively. The study concludes by providing concrete design considerations for developing future health-tracking tools that prioritize personalization, tangible interaction, and integrated reflection to better support this population's unique and diverse needs.