Consumer Attitudes about Portable Electronic Devices Appears Positive

Past Studies

Past Studies show that individuals who receive moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries commonly have problems with thinking skills, such as memory, problem solving, and learning new information. Traditionally, therapists have taught individuals to use lists and datebooks as reminders to help with thinking skills. Because of advances in technology, portable electronic devices are available, such as pagers or PDAs (personal digital assistants). Electronic devices have been perceived as more “socially acceptable” than notebooks and lists by individuals with traumatic brain injury because mainstream society uses them. Researchers have found that use of portable electronic devices can support or improve the functional abilities of individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Researchers have not explored the consumers’ attitudes and experiences about the use of portable electronic devices.

This Study

This study surveyed 80 adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries about their attitudes and experiences regarding PDAs. The participants were from several outpatient programs, residential treatment centers, and existing research registries. The average participant had received the brain injury 3.7 years prior to this study. Although 93% of the participants worked or attended school before their injuries, only 38% did so when this study took place. Fifty-five percent of the participants reported that they were unemployed and 14% required a supervised living environment.The researchers found that 66% of the participants stated that there was a desktop computer available to them at their homes. One-third of the group reported that they used a computer daily. Almost one third of the individuals said that they did not use a computer at all. The younger and more educated participants used computers the most.Overall, the group reported a high degree of interest in using assistive technology. The level of interest in PDAs was higher than the expressed need for improvement in the participants’ current strategies for remembering things and keeping themselves organized. The participants also reported a high degree of comfort using assistive technology. Seventy-five percent of the group responded that they would use a PDA if it were available to them. They stated that they would most likely use PDAs for keeping track of money, remembering things to do, and remembering what other people say. They stated preferences for devices that were easy to use, had long-lasting batteries, and offered technical support.

Who May Be Affected By These Findings

Individuals with traumatic brain injury, assistive technology specialists, healthcare providers, vocational rehabilitation specialists, educators, and researchers.

Caveats

This was a small study group. The results of this study cannot be generalized for all individuals with traumatic brain injury. Further, this study did not use a comparison group; therefore, it is not known what the general public’s opinion of the PDAs is for comparison.

Bottom Line

The researchers found that individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury reported a high interest and a high degree of comfort regarding the use of portable electronic devices for help with memory and organizational tasks.

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