A randomised controlled crossover trial evaluating Television Assisted Prompting (TAP) for adults with acquired brain injury

Abstract

Assistive technologies for cognition (ATC) provide an effective means to compensate for prospective memory failures among adults with acquired brain injury (ABI; de Joode, van Heugten, Verhey, & van Boxtel, 2010 ; Sohlberg et al., 2007 ). This study evaluated a novel ATC device, the Television Assisted Prompting (TAP) system, which provides audiovisual reminders at scheduled prospective times on a person's home television. A randomised, controlled crossover design evaluated task completion for two preferred, two non-preferred, and two structured experimental tasks among 23 adults with ABI between two conditions: TAP prompting or typical (TYP) practice, without TAP reminders. Main outcomes showed a significant advantage of prospective memory prompting (72% completion) over no prompting (43% completion) and higher task completion with TAP prompting for researcher-assigned experimental tasks (81%) compared to self-selected preferred (68%) or non-preferred (68%) tasks. Results are discussed in the context of ATC efficacy to support prospective memory prompting following ABI, with contributions and future directions for continued investigation of customisation of prompts to maximise task completion.

Guidelines for Adult Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

“…In contrast, specific aspects of memory (eg, visual-spatial recall, subjective memory experience, verbal and prospective memory, working memory, and attention) have been shown to improve after stroke in 6 different controlled trials that used very diverse cognitive training strategies. [430][431][432][433][434][435] A systematic review of the literature (1995-2011) focused specifically on information and communication technology tools for individuals with acquired brain injury, including stroke, 436 reviewed 5 studies that addressed memory problems. The quality of the studies was so low that it was not possible to determine whether the tools were beneficial.…”

The use of a smartwatch as a prompting device for people with acquired brain injury: a single case experimental design study

“…This kind of result, in which the return to baseline performance is better than or at least equivalent to baseline performance, is the most common among other studies investigating the efficacy of prompting devices, even amongst those in which the intervention failed to improve performance (e.g. Wilson et al, 2001;Lemoncello et al, 2011;Stapleton, Adams & Atterton, 2007). Therefore the findings in the current study are contrary to the majority of findings in the literature.…”

“…Different hardware can be used to prompt; for example, Svoboda, Richards, Leach and Mertens (2012) used a smartphone app, McDonald, Haslam, Yates, Gurr, Leeder and Sayers (2011) used a calendar program on a computer which sent text messages to the participant's phone, and Lemoncello, Sohlberg, Fickas and Prideaux (2011) used a television set to prompt participants with ABI about their exercise routines. Some researchers have tested wearable prompting devices, most notably Wilson, Emslie, Quirk and Evans (2001) in a randomised controlled trial testing NeuroPage, a wearable paging device.…”

INCOG Recommendations for Management of Cognition Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Part V

“…26,41,45 Greater long-term use of paging devices was associated with built-in prompting systems, 26 as well as with patients who had better executive cognitive skills, regardless of the level of memory impairment. 52 Programming a computer-based calendar system with prompts was shown to enhance prospective memory performance and reduce the need for monitoring when compared with the use of a standard diary. In general, paging systems and personal voice organizers that provide a system of cues or prompts have been shown to improve the ability of individuals with brain injury to effectively achieve target behaviors, reduce the number of therapy sessions missed, and complete more personally meaningful tasks within the home and at work.…”