The use of a smartwatch as a prompting device for people with acquired brain injury: a single case experimental design study

ABSTRACT

Prompting-based memory compensation is a potential application for smartwatches. This study investigated the usability and efficacy of a Moto360 smartwatch as a memory aid. Four community dwelling adults with memory difficulties following acquired brain injury (ABI) were included in an A-B-A single case experimental design study. Performance of everyday memory tasks was tested over six weeks with the smartwatch and software provided during weeks three and four. Participants were asked to use their usual memory aids and strategies during the control phases (weeks 1–2, 5–6). Three participants successfully used the smartwatch throughout the intervention weeks and gave positive usability ratings. A fourth participant experienced a seizure and subsequently left the study before the intervention phase. Three participants showed improved memory performance when using the smartwatch. Nonoverlap of all pairs (NAP) analysis showed a non-significant small increase in memory performance between baseline and intervention phases (mean NAP = 0.1, p = .84). There was a larger, significant decline between the intervention and return to baseline (mean NAP = 0.58, p < .01). The use of an off-the-shelf smartwatch device and software was feasible for people with ABI in the community. It was effective compared to practice as usual, although this was only apparent on withdrawal of the device.

KEYWORDS:

• Assistive technology
• acquired brain injury
• memory rehabilitation
• smartwatch
• prospective memory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Rumen Manolov http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9387-1926

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Medical Research Council as part of a Doctoral Training Programme undertaken by author MJ. These funds paid for the smartwatch and smartphone hardware used in the study and the software was free to download. The funder had no role in the study design; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing of the report; or decision to submit for publication.