Information and communication technology-based assistive technology to compensate for impaired cognition in everyday life: a systematic review

Implementation of information and communication technology to facilitate participation in high school occupations for students with neurodevelopmental disorders

PURPOSE

Information and communication technology (ICT) has been proposed to enable an inclusive learning environment and increased participation for students with special educational needs. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived need for ICT before and after an individualized ICT intervention among high school students with neurodevelopmental disorders and describe how the ICT was used to improve participation in school activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This mixed-method study, with a one-group pre- and post-test design, included 99 high school students with neurodevelopmental disorders. Data from questionnaires and assessments using the School Setting Interview (SSI) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Deductive content analysis was performed on written notes in the SSI assessment.

RESULTS

The results showed that students' median number of perceived needs for ICT in school activities had decreased from six needs at baseline to one need at follow-up (t16.5 df(98), p<.001). There were five SSI items for which over 50% of the students perceived a need for ICT, with most students (95%) needing support in the item Remember things. Students received a laptop, tablet or smartphone (95%), software for planning or structure (84%) and ICT for writing and reading (66%). The ICT facilitated participation in multiple school activities, providing reminders and structure, facilitating notetaking and improving spelling. After the ICT intervention, students (61%) experienced improved study results and improved ability to manage difficult school situations (68%).

CONCLUSION

To conclude, an individualized ICT intervention as support to increase school participation is promising among high school students with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Digital tools to support technology-enabled budget management in people with acquired brain injury: a rapid review

People with acquired brain injuries (ABI) face financial challenges that affect their daily lives. Managing finances is a crucial activity that can help avoid social isolation. However, this task becomes difficult for people with ABI because of their cognitive impairments. Recent advances in digital technology can help people with ABI manage their finances more effectively. This study aims to identify and describe available digital tools that can help ABI in budget management, and identify their effectiveness, barriers and facilitators to implementation. To address this issue, we conducted a rapid review of academic databases followed by a modified Google/Google Scholar search to identify the digital tools to support budgeting tasks (DBT) used and tested by people with ABI. Our rapid review included only two articles on the use of DBT. The first study showed that common portable electronic devices were acceptable and desirable as memory and organisational aids for people with ABI. The second study documented the development of a DBT and the perception of users (research participants) who found it appealing and user-friendly. However, for both articles, the technologies used are outdated and lack information on barriers and facilitators to using DBT. In conclusion, this literature review revealed that digital technologies have the potential to support budget management in people with ABI, but technology needs to be made available on the market to benefit the users. Further research and development are needed to create new ways to help people with brain injuries manage their budgets.

Worldwide Survey on Digital Assistive Technology (DAT) Provision

Occupational therapists have long been involved in assistive technology (AT) provision worldwide. AT is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) to enhance functioning, independence, and autonomy and ultimately promote well-being for people living with disabilities. With the digitalisation of societies, the everyday lives and occupations of individuals are changing, becoming more reliant on digital solutions. The development of digital assistive technology (DAT) also offers opportunities for people with disabilities to access, interact, and pilot the digital world. However, we do not know how occupational therapists are involved in DAT provision worldwide. A survey was conducted in the global occupational therapist's community in June 2022 to describe DAT provision and the factors influencing it. Occupational therapy practitioners were included (n = 660) in the analysis. In DAT provision, occupational therapists mostly provide advice to people, assess their needs, provide instruction or training, prescribe DAT, and fit DAT to people and their environment. The clients served through DAT provision are most frequently people with neurological impairments, chronic illnesses, sensory impairments, and older people. The reasons for providing DAT focus on education, work, school, and leisure. It is expected that DAT provision will enhance independence, self-esteem, occupational participation, and social relationships. Issues faced by occupational therapists when providing DAT are costs of product and funding schemes, sufficient knowledge, and access to knowledge sources. Survey respondents are mostly from Western countries with access to the Internet and the digital world, including having digital literacy, highlighting the digital divide that exists between world regions and countries, but also within countries worldwide. There is a need to continue research to better understand the issues related to digitalisation and the digital participation of people living with disabilities.

Methods to assess the effectiveness and acceptance of information and communication technology-based assistive technology for older adults: a scoping review

An aging society is a growing challenge for families, social and rehabilitation service providers, and economies. Information and communication technology-based assistive technology can bolster the independence of older adults (65 years and above) and reduce their burden on caregivers. Currently, there is no unified methodology to assess the effectiveness and acceptance of these technologies. The present study undertakes a scoping review to (1) identify and characterize the methods for assessing the acceptability and usability of information and communication technology-based assistive technologies, (2) explore the advantages and disadvantages of the assessment methods, (3) determine the possibilities of combining the assessment methods and (4) define the most commonly used assessment method and set of outcome measures. The literature was searched in MEDLINE, Scopus, IEEE Cochrane and Web of Science bibliographic databases using the keywords defined by reviewers for articles in English published between 2011 and 2021. Of the 1696 matches, 31 met the inclusion criteria. It was found that a combination of different assessment methods was common in outcome measurements. Of the 31 studies, assessment methods were combined in 21 studies and multiple questionnaires were used in 11 studies. The most common technique of outcome measurement was the use of questionnaires (81%), conducting interviews (48%) and recording usability-performance measures (39%). The advantages and disadvantages of the assessment methods could not be determined in the selected studies in this scoping review.

Change in care hours, cost, and functional independence following continence and assistive technology intervention in an acquired brain injury population

PURPOSE

After acquired brain injury (ABI) dependence on intervention for continence management is common. This preliminary investigation aimed to (i) quantify toileting care hours and costs in a community-based ABI rehabilitation and disability setting, and (ii) measure change in care needs, costs, and functional independence after intervention with assistive technologies (ATs).

METHOD

Pragmatic pre-post intervention pilot study of 14 adults with ABI and toileting disability accessing community-based neurorehabilitation or disability support in Western Australia. Toileting and functional independence were assessed monthly from baseline (T₀) to 3-month follow-up (T₃). Basic and nursing care hours (Northwick Park Dependency Score), cost of care estimates (Northwick Park Care Needs Assessment), functional independence (Functional Independence and Assessment Measure), and cost of consumables were examined pre- and post-intervention with ATs. Multilevel mixed-effects models with bootstrap estimation were conducted.

RESULTS

Cost of consumables significantly declined (AU$69/week), and functional independence significantly improved following intervention (+23.5 points). There was a non-significant reduction in care needs for toileting (4 h/week) and in the cost of toileting care (AU$633/week).

CONCLUSION

Toileting disability substantially impacts care hours and costs. This study provides preliminary evidence that comprehensive continence management is beneficial in reducing costs and supporting people with an ABI to increase their independence.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONA comprehensive continence assessment and management plan reduces the number of care hours, cost of care, and cost of continence products in a neurorehabilitation and disability support sample for people with acquired brain injury (ABI).Assistive technologies for continence management are beneficial in supporting people with ABI to increase independence, and reduce costs.Providing comprehensive continence assessment and management plan reduces reliance on staff for continence care, and improves functional independence.

Digital divide among individuals with acquired brain injury: a scoping review protocol

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review will identify literature pertaining to individuals with an acquired brain injury and digital divide; specifically, examining personal access and use of internet-enabled information and communication technologies. The review will identify the information and communication technologies used by individuals with an acquired brain injury as well as the determinants of technology use. The review will also identify and create a taxonomy of information and communication technologies utilized in relation to cognitive and psychosocial outcomes for individuals with an acquired brain injury in community and outpatient settings.

INTRODUCTION

Internet-enabled technologies are increasingly central to all aspects of living, including health care and community participation; however, gaps in the access to and use of information and communication technologies among individuals with an acquired brain injury may limit the utility of a digitalized society.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies that focus on access to or use of internet-enabled information and communication technologies among individuals with an acquired brain injury (including stroke, infection, tumor, disease, hypoxia, or traumatic brain injury) will be considered in this review.

METHODS

Primary peer-reviewed studies published in English from 2001 onward will be considered for inclusion. Six electronic databases will be searched: Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and APA PsycINFO. Gray literature searches for government and nongovernment organization reports and data, and dissertation theses will be conducted via advanced Google searches. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts, and full texts of articles based on the "population, concept, context" inclusion criteria. Relevant data will be reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

A Study Protocol for Persons With Neurological Diseases: Linking Rehabilitation Goals to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health With a Focus on Assistive Technology for Cognition and Its Effects

Persons with neurological diseases often have some degree of cognitive impairment. They are in need of assistive technology for cognition (ATC) to compensate for cognitive impairments that affect their daily functioning. Goal setting in relation to cognitive deficits using ATC are common in clinical practice, and therapists often set several rehabilitation goals together with a patient. However, these rehabilitation goals are usually phrased differently, which limit the comparison of ATC and rehabilitation goals. It is thus valuable to link the goals to some standardized terminologies, such as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Furthermore, goal achievement is seldom used to evaluate long-term effects of ATC in persons with neurological diseases and limited attention has been paid to the factors that predict goal achievement in using the ATC as cognitive support in persons with neurological diseases. The aim of the project is 3-fold. Firstly, we will use the ICF to link rehabilitation goals regarding the use of ATC in adults with neurological diseases. Secondly, we will evaluate effects of the ATC using goal achievement over a 5-year period. Thirdly, we will explore the variables that predict goal achievement in relation to the effects of ATC.

Mobile Phone Use and Cognitive Impairment among Elderly Chinese: A National Cross-Sectional Survey Study

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between mobile phone use and cognitive impairment using the data of the Prevention and Intervention on Neurodegenerative Disease for Elderly in China (PINDEC) survey. A total of 21,732 participants aged 60 years and above in China were recruited using a stratified, multi-stage cluster sampling method, providing information on demographics, lifestyle and health-related characteristics, mobile phone use, and cognitive impairment through face-to-face interviews by trained staff according to a standard protocol. All estimates of rates were weighted by sex, age, and living area (rural or urban) in the elderly Chinese population. The rate of mobile phone usage was 65.5% (14.3% for smartphone use). The prevalence of cognitive impairment in non-users of mobile phone, dumbphone users, and smartphone users were 17.8%, 5.0%, and 1.4%, respectively. The odds of having cognitive impairment in users of dumbphone and smartphone were lower than non-users after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle, and health-related factors (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.39, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.45; p < 0.001; AOR, 0.16, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.25; p < 0.001, respectively). Smartphone use in Chinese elderly people was quite low. A strong correlation was found between mobile phone use and better cognitive function; yet longitudinal studies are warranted to explore the causal relationship. Future design of mobile phone-based interventions should consider the feasibility among those in need.

An interactive digital calendar with mobile phone reminders (RemindMe) for people with cognitive impairment: a pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

People with cognitive impairment often need support to perform everyday-life activities. Interventions are available, but evidence-based interventions are lacking.

AIM

This pilot RCT aimed to investigate use of an intervention with an interactive digital calendar with mobile phone reminders (RemindMe) in relation to change in outcomes and impact on occupational performance, independence, health-related quality of life, and psychosocial impact of the support for people with cognitive impairment.

METHOD

The study design was a multi-centre parallel-group pilot RCT [ClinicalTrails.gov, identifier: NCT04470219]. Fifteen participants from primary rehabilitation centres in Sweden were recruited and randomly assigned to intervention group (n = 8) receiving the intervention with RemindMe, or control group (n = 7) receiving usual treatment by an occupational therapist. Data were collected at baseline, after two- and four months, and analysed using descriptive and non-parametric statistics.

RESULT

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM item n-r) showed significant differences. There were no significant differences in health-related quality of life nor in the psychosocial impact of the used support.

CONCLUSION

Plausible changes in outcome measures were found in COPM and FIM (items n-r). These instruments indicate change in outcome measures and impact on occupational performance and independence.

Virtual Reality as a Technological-Aided Solution to Support Communication in Persons With Neurodegenerative Diseases and Acquired Brain Injury During COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 poses an ongoing threat to lives around the world and challenges the existing public health and medical service delivery. The lockdown or quarantine measures adopted to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has caused the interruption in ongoing care and access to medical care including to patients with existing neurological conditions. Besides the passivity, isolation, and withdrawal, patients with neurodegenerative diseases experience difficulties in communication due to a limited access to leisure opportunities and interaction with friends and relatives. The communication difficulties may exacerbate the burden on the caregivers. Therefore, assistive-technologies may be a useful strategy in mitigating challenges associated with remote communication. The current paper presents an overview of the use of assistive technologies using virtual reality and virtual body ownership in providing communication opportunities to isolated patients, during COVID-19, with neurological diseases and moderate-to-severe communication difficulties. We postulate that the assistive technologies-based intervention may improve social interactions in patients with neurodegenerative diseases and acquired brain injury-thereby reducing isolation and improving their quality of life and mental well-being.