Colgate-Palmolive longitudinal Study

Can Design Change User Behavior? 

01
CHALLENGE

Colgate-Palmolive (ColPal) asked Metaphase to conduct a usability study of their new sonic toothbrush with sensing and control technologies.

ColPal sought to understand how, if at all, brushing behavior would change with the new product compared to manual brushing.

Metaphase formulated a longitudinal research study in which our team was able to observe new users as they interacted with

the product at home and in our facilities over the course of a month.

The study made use of a variety of research tools, including ethnographic video, one-on-one interviews, questionnaires, journals, and ergonomic evaluation.

Users checked in with our research team for four weeks, with our team observing their usage of the product each step of the way

PRE-STUDY

Video cameras sent to
users and users
videotaped themselves
brushing with their
manual toothbrushes.

WEEK 1 VISIT

Users returned cameras.

Users provided with CP toothbrush, and reviewed instructions.

Users videotaped brushing teeth.

Users complete interview and questionnaires.

WEEK 2 VISIT

Users videotaped brushing teeth.

Users complete questionnaire.

Review journal notes.

WEEK 3 VISIT

Users videotaped brushing teeth.

Users complete questionnaire.

Review journal notes.

FINAL VISIT

Users videotaped brushing teeth.

Users complete questionnaire.

Review journal notes.

Final interview.

Subset of users recorded using manual brushes.

02
METHODS

A multicamera setup, and “fin” attached
to the toothbrush enabled us to perform
a detailed ergonomic analysis or dexterity,
grip security, control and comfort.

03
INSIGHTS

Brushing Time

Users nearly doubled the amount of time spent brushing (99-107s) versus with their manual brushes, and reverted back to old habits when they used their manual brushes at the end of the study.

Cleanliness

Users perceived their teeth to be cleaner using the new toothbrush versus their manual.

Thoroughness

Over the course of the trial, users consistently adopted a new brushing technique that achieved more complete coverage of the teeth.

Metaphase experts authored two white papers presenting study results in The Journal of Clinical Dentistry, 2012,Volume XXIII

04
RESULTS

The study provided ColPal with evidence
and a 3rd-party published study substantiating
product and promotional claims, as well as
future product development opportunities.

SMILE!

SMILE!