Teaching stroke patients to dial the telephone

Two purposes of this study were to determine what percentage of adults who had had cerebrovascular accidents were able to dial and recall telephone numbers, and whether or not the device, the Dial-a-Phone, was an effective instrument to use to teach these patients to dial the telephone. Results indicated that of 73 patients tested, 42 were unable to dial on the pretest. The Dial-a-Phone was effective in teaching 36 of the 42 patients in the mean time of 4.8 minutes of instruction. Right hemiplegics experienced no more difficulties than left hemiplegics. Those who learn to dial the telephone could use this ability as a life-saving skill, as motivation to improve development of communication skills, and as encouragement for functional independence.