Issues surrounding the user-centred development of a new interactive memory aid

Abstract

Memory problems are often associated with the ageing process and are one of the commonest effects of brain injury. Electronic memory aids have been successfully used as a compensatory approach to provide reminders to individuals with prospective memory problems. This paper describes the usability issues surrounding the development of a new memory aid rendered on a personal digital assistant (PDA); in addition, it discusses the importance of a user-centred design process for the development of the memory aid and preliminary qualitative findings from interviews and focus groups of disabled or elderly users.

Cognitive Function and Assistive Technology for Cognition: A Systematic Review

“…Aural or visual reminders to perform a given task at a particular time included: Voice recorders with a timer function (van den Broek, Downes, Johnson, Dayus, & Hilton, 2000;Yasuda et al, 2002); text messaging to mobile phones (Pijnenborg, Withaar, Evans, van den Bosch, & Brouwer, 2007), voice messages to phones (Leirer, Morrow, Tanke, & Pariante, 1991), reminder functions on a smartphone (Svoboda & Richards, 2009) or schedule software on a PC (Flannery, Butterbaugh, Rice, & Rice, 1997;Kim, Burke, Dowds, & George, 1999;Kim, Burke, Dowds, Boone, & Park, 2000) and PDA (Davies, Stock, & Wehmeyer, 2002;Ferguson, Myles, & Hagiwara, 2005;Giles & Shore, 1989;Gillette & Depompei, 2008;Inglis et al, 2003;Sablier, Stip, Franck, & Mobus Group, 2010).…”

Scaffolding rehabilitation behaviour using a voice-mediated assistive technology for cognition

“…Computer systems allow central storage of schedules to be delivered as text prompts at the point when a behaviour requires to be carried out. The effectiveness of pager-type prompting, as provided by MemoJog (Inglis et al, 2003) and Neuropage (Wilson, Emslie, Quirk, and Evans, 2001), has been demonstrated to increase achievement of target behaviours. Similarly the MEMEX project, utilising text messaging to mobile phones, has demonstrated effectiveness in improving attendance at appointments and medication compliance (Pijnenborg, Withaar, Evans, van den Bosch, and Brouwer, 2007).…”

“…Attentional function predicts use of cognitive aids in sample of people with acquired brain injury (Evans et al, 2003). Yet the main ATC systems, such as Neuropage (Wilson, Evans, Emslie, and Malinek, 1997), MemoJog (Inglis et al, 2003), and Pocket Coach (Gentry et al, 2008) Voice Mediated Assistive Technology for Cognition 8 require users to interact with the ATC via a screen. Users usually receive information via the screen, and give feedback to the device via the screen.…”

Methods for Undertaking Research on Technology with Older and Disabled People

“…A small number of published papers directly address these issues [e.g. 2,3] and some papers mention challenges of working with these user groups in passing.…”