A generic, 'in-house', alphanumeric paging system for prospective activity impairments after traumatic brain injury

• Published in: Brain injury Vol. 18; no. 7; p. 725
• Main Authors: Kirsch, Ned L, Shenton, Michelle, Rowan, James
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.07.2004
• Subjects: Adult; Brain Injuries - complications; Brain Injuries - rehabilitation; Cognition Disorders - etiology; Cognition Disorders - rehabilitation; Equipment Design; Humans; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychomotor Performance; Self-Help Devices
• ISSN: 0269-9052
• DOI: 10.1080/02699050310001646161

For settings having suitable infrastructure, generic, 'in-house' alphanumeric paging systems can be constructed that are fully under clinician control. Development of such a system for therapeutic application is described and a single-case study presented that assessed whether the system could improve repetitive, prospective use of a daily planner. ABA' single case. The participant was male, in his mid-30s, having cognitive impairments subsequent to recent TBI superimposed on remote neurological changes. The pager reminded him to record therapeutic information in a daily planner, for discussion with a family member each evening. During intervention (B) trials, reliable memory log usage was noted. By trial five of return-to-baseline (A') trials, there was decreased memory log use. Alphanumeric paging facilitated reliable use of a memory log compensation technique. The 'in-house' paging system proved particularly suitable for intervention development. Limits of the study are discussed and other therapeutically useful wireless technologies are noted.