“Improving Prospective Memory in individuals with Korsakoff’s Syndrome: The Power of Smart Reminders.”
Aims. Korsakoff’s syndrome is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by sudden onset and is caused by thiamine deficiency usually following chronic alcohol abuse. Individuals with KS often fail to remember future actions, appointments and goals caused by deficits in prospective memory (PM). While studies in other patient groups with brain impairment focused on training strategies, many of these methodologies fail to work in KS because of the severity of cognitive impairment. The aim of this project is to directly prompt KS patients with different technology aids, including a smartwatch and a tablet, to establish whether patient timing improves when actively prompted.
Method. Two studies were conducted. First, 12 inpatients at the Korsakoff Expertise Center Slingedael were prompted, either verbally by the researcher or via the smartwatch, to complete daily tasks such as going to physical therapy. Effectiveness between the two types of reminders on PM performance was compared and we asked the individuals if they preferred either method. In the second study, we used a tablet as an external memory aid. In the study we compared baseline PM performance, does the individual come to the meal on it’s own, with PM performance during the intervention period when the Bbrainklok provided reminders for the meals. In both studies participants and care staff were asked about their opinions about the usability of the external memory aids.
Results. Smartwatch reminders were equally effective as verbal reminders in improving PM performance. Individuals did not prefer one method over the other, however, their overall response to the watch was positive. Moreover, preliminary results from the Bbrainklok study show that PM performance improves in individuals with KS who were not already performing at a ceiling effect. Both individuals with KS and care givers responded positive to the tablet.
Discussion. Smart reminders can improve PM performance, and therefore increase feeling of autonomy in individuals with KS.
Conclusions: Smartwatches and tablets that give active prompts can facilitate KS patients in their daily routines and increase feeling of independence.