de Joode E A, van Boxtel M P J, Hartjes P, Verhey F R J, van Heugten C M
School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands.
Scand J Occup Ther. 2013 Nov;20(6):446-53. doi: 10.3109/11038128.2013.821161. Epub 2013 Jul 24.
The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility and the effectiveness of the use of a customized personal digital assistant (PDA) to support cognitive functioning in a person with Korsakoff syndrome.
The PDA was compared with no external support and the use of a memory watch in a single case experimental design. Three main personal goal tasks were defined: "arrive at appointments on time", "execute a long-term task successfully", and "remember to ask for medication".
No significant differences were found between the use of the memory watch and the use of the customized PDA. PDA use was perceived as feasible and effective and was considered as a more comprehensive aid than the memory watch.
This study shows that a person with Korsakoff syndrome is able to use and benefit from a customized PDA. Replication of these findings in a larger effectiveness study is necessary.
