Article

The aims were to investigate whether patients with memory difficulties after
acquired brain injury (ABI) are able to learn how to use a set of electronic
memory aids integrated in a training apartment, and to use the same setting for
identifying activities that these patients tend to forget among a predefined set
of activities. This identification is done by using a computer system to register
activities that are not performed, which the system is designed to act upon with
reminders or alarms. During a stay of five days in the training apartment, 14
patients received training from an experienced occupational therapist to learn
how to use the electronic memory aids. Significant improvements were found at
group level in learning how to use the electronic memory aids. Computer
registrations showed that the refrigerator and the stove were most challenging to
remember. The total number of alarms and reminders as indication/measure of
memory difficulties did not correlate with the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test
scores in the individuals. These findings indicate the importance of a stay in a
training apartment to examine whether or not patients have difficulties in
everyday activities and to try out electronic memory aids that might support
these difficulties before they are discharged from the rehabilitation clinic.

Langue : ANGLAIS