Technological aids for the rehabilitation of memory and executive functioning in children and adolescents with acquired brain injury

Abstract

This review provides low-quality evidence for the use of technology-based interventions in the rehabilitation of executive functions and memory for children and adolescents with TBI. As all of the included studies contained relatively small numbers of participants (12 to 120), our findings should be interpreted with caution. The involvement of a clinician or therapist, rather than use of the technology, may have led to the success of these interventions. Future research should seek to replicate these findings with larger samples, in other regions, using ecologically valid outcome measures, and reduced clinician involvement.

Professionals’ views on the use of smartphone technology to support children and adolescents with memory impairment due to acquired brain injury

“…Prospective memory impairment is one of the most common sequelae of brain injury and can have a debilitating effect on the lives of young people with brain injury [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Research has suggested that using smartphones as compensatory aids can help to improve functioning in children and adolescents [1,18,20].…”

“…Memory impairment can interfere with learning and access to education, everyday adaptive functioning and social participation [5][6][7][8][9]. Thus, interventions targeted at improving prospective memory are often employed in cognitive rehabilitation, via remedial or compensatory strategies [10].…”

“…A recent systematic review also concluded that external assistive devices reduce forgetfulness in adults after traumatic brain injury (TBI) or stroke [21]. However, the effectiveness of electronic devices at reducing forgetfulness in children and adolescents is unknown [5].…”

“…Smartphones are defined as mobile phones that have similar functions as a computer, including allowing users to run software applications [22]. Smartphones have become increasingly popular in memory rehabilitation because they have many functions and applications that can help people with memory impairment, for example calendars, alarms, to-do lists, texts and voice recorders [1,5]. Additionally, many children and adolescents already use smartphones, with 62% of [12][13][14][15] year olds owning a smartphone in the UK [23].…”

“…Additionally, many children and adolescents already use smartphones, with 62% of [12][13][14][15] year olds owning a smartphone in the UK [23]. Thus, for children and adolescents, smartphones could be viewed as desirable assistive devices as they are popular, inconspicuous and do not highlight their deficits to others [5,18,22].…”