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Living independently is a significant goal for many individuals with cognitive impairments, particularly those affecting executive functions (EF). Assistive technologies for cognition (ATC) offer promising solutions to support these individuals in managing daily tasks and enhancing their independence. This blog post delves into a recent scoping review by Guillaume Spalla and colleagues, which examines how ATC can help individuals with EF impairments.
Purpose/Objective
- Goal: To document how ATC for individuals with EF impairments have been developed and evaluated.
- Research Questions:
- Which populations are targeted by ATC for EF impairments?
- What are the characteristics of these ATC?
- How are these ATC developed?
- Were the ATC evaluated with participants?
- What goal-directed behaviors do these ATC target?
- Significance: The study aims to highlight research gaps and provide recommendations for future research and technology development in the field of ATC for EF impairments.
Key Findings
- Supported Conditions: ATC primarily target individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and dementia.
- Executive Function Operations: Planning and task execution are the most supported EF operations.
- Common Activities: Food preparation is the most frequently supported activity of daily living (ADL).
- Technology Types: Non-context-aware technologies delivering audio and visual prompts are predominant.
- Effectiveness and Acceptability: Most ATC have been tested among target populations to evaluate their acceptability and effectiveness.
- Research Gaps:
- More research needed on goal formulation in EF.
- Better clinical context descriptions required.
- Increased use of user-centered methods, such as observational or ideation methods.
- More evaluation of user outcomes, particularly impact on independence.
- A greater diversity of ADL should be supported.
Theoretical Background Information
Assistive technologies for cognition (ATC) can significantly improve the lives of individuals with EF impairments by supporting their ability to engage in both basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). These technologies are crucial for maintaining independence and improving the quality of life for these individuals.
Executive Functions and Daily Living
Executive functions are higher-level cognitive processes essential for planning and executing goal-directed behaviors. They are critical for performing instrumental ADL, which require advanced cognitive skills.
Background Knowledge
Understanding the foundational concepts and previous research in this area helps contextualize the significance of ATC for EF impairments.
Core Concepts
- Executive Functions (EF): These include goal formulation, planning, task execution, and verifying the attainment of goals.
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL): BADL and IADL, which range from basic self-care to more complex activities like managing finances or preparing meals.
Preliminary Theories
- Goal-Directed Behavior: Actions aimed at achieving specific goals, heavily reliant on EF.
- Assistive Technologies for Cognition (ATC): Technologies designed to enhance or replace cognitive functions.
Contextual Timeline
The development of ATC has evolved over time, with increasing focus on user-centered design and context-aware systems.
Prior Research
Previous reviews have focused on specific disorders or broader cognitive functions, highlighting the need for more targeted research on ATC for EF impairments.
Study Relevance
The review identifies critical gaps in current research and development of ATC for EF impairments, providing a roadmap for future studies and innovations.
Methodologies Used in the Study
The review followed a five-stage methodology:
- Defining the Research Question: Establishing the primary focus and sub-questions.
- Identifying Relevant Studies: Searching scientific and gray literature databases.
- Selecting Articles: Applying inclusion criteria to select relevant studies.
- Extracting and Charting Data: Analyzing and summarizing key information.
- Summarizing Findings: Providing insights and recommendations.
Key Aspects
- Types of Technologies: Classification according to ISO standards.
- Design Methods: User-centered design methods, including exploration, ideation, and generation stages.
- Types of Assistance: Audio, visual, and haptic prompts.
- Context-Awareness: The ability of ATC to provide relevant support based on the user’s context.
Contextual Insights
Abstract in a Nutshell
The review highlights the current state of ATC development for EF impairments, identifying key gaps and providing recommendations for future research.
Gap/Need
There is a need for more comprehensive research on goal formulation in EF and a broader range of ADL support.
Innovation
The review emphasizes the importance of user-centered design and context-aware technologies in developing effective ATC.
Practical Real-World Implications
Assistive technologies for cognition can significantly improve the lives of individuals with EF impairments by supporting daily tasks and promoting independence.
For Clinical Professionals
ATC can enhance therapeutic interventions by providing real-time support for patients with EF impairments.
For Neurodivergent Individuals
These technologies can significantly improve independence and quality of life by supporting daily tasks and reducing reliance on caregivers.
Study Limitations
The review acknowledges limitations, including the need for more detailed clinical context descriptions and broader evaluation of user outcomes.
Potential Biases
Potential biases include the selection of studies and the subjective interpretation of findings.
Implications for Future Research
Addressing the identified research gaps and adopting user-centered design approaches can enhance the effectiveness of ATC in promoting independence.
Research Directions: New Angles to Explore
Future research should focus on developing ATC for goal formulation in EF and supporting a wider range of ADL.
Innovative Approaches: Suggested Methodologies
Adopting a comprehensive range of user-centered design methods, including observational and ideation techniques.
Questions & Answers
What conditions are most supported by ATC?
Traumatic brain injury and dementia.
Which EF operations are most supported?
Planning and task execution.
What activities are most frequently supported?
Food preparation.
What types of technologies are commonly used?
Non-context-aware technologies with audio and visual prompts.
What are the key research gaps?
Need for more research on goal formulation, better clinical context descriptions, increased use of user-centered methods, more evaluation of user outcomes, and support for a greater diversity of ADL.
Conclusion
Assistive technologies for cognition hold great promise in supporting individuals with executive function impairments. By addressing the identified research gaps and adopting user-centered design approaches, future developments can further enhance the independence and quality of life for these individuals.
TL;DR – (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
This scoping review examines the development and evaluation of assistive technologies for cognition (ATC) that support executive function impairments. Key findings include the need for more research on goal formulation, better clinical context descriptions, and increased use of user-centered methods. The review provides recommendations for future research and technology development to enhance the effectiveness of ATC in promoting independence.
Glossary of Terms
- Executive Functions (EF): Higher-level cognitive processes that include planning, task execution, and goal verification.
- Assistive Technologies for Cognition (ATC): Technologies designed to enhance or replace cognitive functions.
- Activities of Daily Living (ADL): Tasks essential for self-care (basic ADL) and independent living (instrumental ADL).
- User-Centered Design (UCD): A design philosophy that focuses on the needs and interests of the user.
Citation Information
- Authors: Guillaume Spalla, Amel Yaddaden, Hubert Kenfack Ngankam, Charles Gouin-Vallerand, Nathalie Bier.
- Title: Assistive technologies designed to support executive function impairments while promoting independence: A scoping review.
- Journal/Source: Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering.
- Publication Year: 2024.
- Pages: 1–28.
- DOI/URL: 10.1177/20556683241268658
- Affiliation: Université de Sherbrooke, Centre de recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Université de Montréal.