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Evaluating a Low-Cost Technology to Enable People with Intellectual Disability or Psychiatric Disorders to Initiate and Perform Functional Daily Activities

Author

Listed:
  • Emanuela Resta

    (Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy)

  • Lucia Brunone

    (Psychiatric Rehabilitation Service “Incontri”, 70017 Bari, Italy)

  • Fiora D’Amico

    (Silver House Health and Care Services, 70011 Bari, Italy)

  • Lorenzo Desideri

    (Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

People with intellectual disability or psychiatric disorders and cognitive dysfunctions may need assistive technology to maintain and improve their levels of functioning and independence. This study assessed a smartphone-based system to remind the user to initiate functional daily activities (e.g., setting a table for lunch) and perform them without the support of a caregiver. The system was evaluated through a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across two groups of participants. During the intervention sessions, the participants were provided with a system involving a Samsung Galaxy A3 smartphone fitted with the Easy Alarm YouTube application and audio files. The alarm served to remind the participant to carry out a planned activity. Following the reminder, the smartphone presented each of the step instructions preset for the activity. The data showed a statistically significant increase in the number of activities initiated independently from baseline to intervention for all participants. All participants also showed a significant increase in the number of activity steps correctly performed when supported by the smartphone. These results suggest that a low-cost system (i.e., smartphone) can be used to improve independence of people with intellectual disability or psychiatric disorders with cognitive dysfunctions.

Suggested Citation

  • Emanuela Resta & Lucia Brunone & Fiora D’Amico & Lorenzo Desideri, 2021. "Evaluating a Low-Cost Technology to Enable People with Intellectual Disability or Psychiatric Disorders to Initiate and Perform Functional Daily Activities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:18:p:9659-:d:634897
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ahmed Ramadan Shokry Shahat & Giulia Greco, 2021. "The Economic Costs of Childhood Disability: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-25, March.
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