SLPPilotJMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies2024

An Ecological Momentary Assessment and Intervention Tool for Memory in Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury: Development and Usability of Memory Ecological Momentary Intervention.

Emily L Morrow, Lyndsay A Nelson, Melissa C Duff and 1 others

PMID 39591513

WHAT IT FOUND

Fourteen adults with chronic brain injury used a text-message memory tool for a week.

They completed almost every session and rated it highly usable. They found the tasks difficult but not burdensome, and liked tracking their own memory patterns.

Key findings

01Participants completed an average of 11.8 out of 12 available sessions, with only three missed midweek retrieval sessions across the whole group.

02Users rated the system's usability at an average of 91.4 on the System Usability Scale, which corresponds to an A+ rating.

03While participants found the interface easy to use, they reported the memory tasks themselves were very difficult.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs

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What it does not show

The study had a very small sample size of 14 people, which limits how much weight can be placed on the findings. All participants had high digital literacy (average score 11.2/12), so it is unclear if this tool would work for people who are less comfortable with mobile phones. The study only tested usability and engagement for one week. It did not measure whether the tool actually improved memory. Participants were compensated, which may have inflated their engagement and made them less likely to give critical feedback.

Declared interests

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The work was approved by the Vanderbilt Human Research Program.

The easy way to misread this

Do not assume this tool improves memory. The study only proved that patients with chronic brain injury are willing to use it and find it easy to operate. Efficacy has not been tested.

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