Scaffolding rehabilitation behaviour using a voice-mediated assistive technology for cognition

A variety of cognitive deficits can lead to difficulties performing complex behavioural sequences and thus, disability in the performance of routine and rehabilitation behaviours. Interventions to date involve increasing support or providing behavioural training. Assistive technologies for cognition have the potential to augment cognitive capacity thus enabling the performance of behavioural sequences. Guide is an assistive technology for cognition that scaffolds task performance by providing verbal prompts and responding to verbal feedback. Guide was used to provide verbal support and guidance for eight amputees (mean age 64), with cognitive impairment of vascular origin, putting on their prosthetic limbs. Participants were referred to the research due to problems learning the correct behavioural sequence. The research used repeated trials with random assignment to intervention and baseline conditions. The voice-mediated assistive technology for cognition resulted in a significant reduction of safety critical errors and omitted steps. Discussion focuses upon the relation between voice-mediated cognitive support for memory and executive function, and suggestions are made for future research.