Using everyday technology to compensate for difficulties in task performance in daily life: experiences in persons with acquired brain injury and their significant others

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to illuminate how persons with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their significant others experienced individualised occupation-based interventions using commonly available everyday technology (ET) to compensate for perceived difficulties with performance of tasks in daily life.

Method. Qualitative research interviews were conducted with 10 persons with ABI and with one of their significant others. The data were analysed according to qualitative content analysis.

Results. The persons with ABI experienced that they mastered their lives in a better way by the compensatory use of ET. They became capable of doing tasks independently and experienced themselves as being a new person. During the intervention process, persons with ABI became aware of the compensatory potential of familiar ET, and they were supported to use effective compensatory strategies and incorporate them into their habits. Their significant others felt a relief in daily life, and their mood was positively affected as they experienced reduced responsibility and need of control.

Conclusions. This qualitative study has shown that persons with ABI, as well as their significant others, experienced a multitude of benefits from occupation-based interventions using commonly available ET to compensate for their difficulties in the performance of tasks in daily life and that the goals achieved affected their overall contentment with life.

Keywords:

• Activities of daily living
• assistive technology
• brain injury
• occupational therapy
• rehabilitation
• evaluation programmes
• carer

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the participants for their willingness to share their experiences of the intervention. The authors are also grateful to Anita Lindén, MSc, OT, for her comments on the manuscript.

Declaration of interest: This study was part of the Cognition and Technology (CogniTech) project, conducted within the Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology and supported financially by the Swedish Inheritance Fund. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.