Perceived Acceptability, Design Preferences, and User Requirements for a Proposed Ear-Worn Device for Heart-Rate and Ear-Temperature Monitoring with Localized Neck Cooling: A Pre-Prototype Mixed-Methods Study in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Background/Objectives: Heat sensitivity in multiple sclerosis (MS) can worsen neurological symptoms and impair daily functioning and quality of life. As current cooling strategies are largely reactive, wearable technology may offer a proactive approach, provided it is acceptable to users. This pre-prototype study evaluated the perceived acceptability of a proposed ear-worn device, not yet fabricated, that would measure ear-site temperature and heart rate, alert the user, and direct localized airflow at the neck, and identified the user priorities that should guide its development. No technical feasibility or device-performance testing was performed.