Impact of traumatic brain injury on American soldiers' memory with technological cognitive aids: A summative assessment

Abstract

<p>The purpose of this project was to evaluate an 8-week technology-based intervention involving the use of personal computer applications (i.e., &ldquo;apps&rdquo;) to improve memory after mild traumatic brain injury among 10 Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom male soldiers. Mild traumatic brain injury is the signature injury for these Veterans. The Veterans Affairs approved apps were loaded onto tablet PCs and given to the participants. Participants completed the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) memory tool prior to and after the intervention. Participants were instructed to utilize the apps at least one hour per week and were contacted weekly to inquire about usage. The mean app usage per week was 4.30 hours. App usage ranged from a minimum of 2 hours to a maximum of 6 hours each week.&nbsp; Participants showed significant pre- to post-intervention improvements in memory, as measured by the SLUMS test, t(9) = -3.35, p = .009. The mean SLUMS score at pre-intervention was 20.20, increasing over four points to 24.30 at post-intervention.&nbsp; Participants displayed pre- to post-intervention increases in memory, as measured by the object identification test, t(9) = -2.57, p = .030. Prior to the intervention, participants recalled an average of 2.30 out of 5 objects; at post-intervention, they recalled an average of 3.50 out of 5 objects.</p> <p><em>Keywords: traumatic brain injury, OEF/OIF Veterans, memory rehabilitation + Traumatic Brain Injury, and external memory aids.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>