Improvements of Task Performance in Daily Life After Acquired Brain Injury Using Commonly Available Everyday Technology
By Linden, Anita; Lexell, Jan; Lund, Maria Larsson; Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp 214-224Publication Date: May 2011
Multiple case study investigated how individualized occupation based interventions with commonly available everyday technology (ET) can compensate for perceived difficulties with daily life tasks following an acquired brain injury (ABI) and improve satisfaction with occupational performance. Participants were 6 men and 4 women with ABI aged 33 to 59 years. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and field notes before and after intervention and at follow-up. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used to identify daily occupations participants’ found difficult to perform and rate their importance, and establish goals for the intervention. Selection of ET was guided by the Occupational Therapy Intervention Process Model (OTIPM) and by models for matching person and technology. ET selected based on goals set by participants included (1) voice recorders for calendar and medication management, (2) a Fujitsu Siemens Pocket LOOX N100 navigator for orientation in unknown environments, (3) handheld computers for performing planned activities, (4) timers for automatically turning off appliances, and (5) an answering machine for resting and performing cooking tasks without interruption. Using error-free learning, participants were taught the use of ET using simple verbal instructions which were gradually reduced after assimilation. All participants achieved all their goals by learning to use both newly acquired ET and new functions in their own familiar ET. Participants’ perceived difficulties in occupational performance decreased and their satisfaction with such performance increased with the use of ET.
Assistive Products Discussed: MATCHING PERSON & TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND FORMS
Published by: Taylor & Francis, Limited (Website:http://taylorandfrancis.org)
International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.isprm.org )
