Article

Technology can compensate for memory impairment. The efficacy of assistive
technology for people with memory difficulties and the methodology of selected
studies are assessed. A systematic search was performed and all studies that
investigated the impact of technology on memory performance for adults with
impaired memory resulting from acquired brain injury (ABI) or a degenerative
disease were included. Two 10-point scales were used to compare each study to an
ideally reported single case experimental design (SCED) study (SCED scale; Tate
et al., 2008 ) or randomised control group study (PEDro-P scale; Maher,
Sherrington, Herbert, Moseley, & Elkins, 2003 ). Thirty-two SCED (mean = 5.9 on
the SCED scale) and 11 group studies (mean = 4.45 on the PEDro-P scale) were
found. Baseline and intervention performance for each participant in the SCED
studies was re-calculated using non-overlap of all pairs (Parker & Vannest, 2009
) giving a mean score of 0.85 on a 0 to 1 scale (17 studies, n = 36). A
meta-analysis of the efficacy of technology vs. control in seven group studies
gave a large effect size (d = 1.27) (n = 147). It was concluded that prosthetic
technology can improve performance on everyday tasks requiring memory. There is a
specific need for investigations of technology for people with degenerative
diseases.

Langue : ANGLAIS