Electronic memory aids for outpatient brain injury: follow-up findings

The introduction of highly portable computer; extends the range of tools po tentially useful to persons with functional impairments of prospective memo ry resulting from brain injury. This study reviews the experience of 12 pat ients with brain injury undergoing outpatient treatment using palmtop compu ters to assist with memory dependent activities in their everyday lives. Du ring the initial supervised trial period, each was provided a palmtop compu ter based memory aid capable of generating audible and visible reminder cue s. Subsequently, patients were contacted for follow-up between 2 months and 4 years after initial trial usage, and surveyed as to the utility of the c omputer. Nine patients found palmtop computers were useful during supervise d trials. Seven of nine patients actually continued to use such devices aft er the usage trials had ended. Experience with this technology has shown it to be useful in a high proportion of patients for assisting with memory de pendent functions.