Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this study was to explore the potential association between (i) the technology features of the applied cognitive technology (ACT) used to support employment-related outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and (ii) the cognitive functions. The WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used to categorize the cognitive functions.
Methods
The researchers of the 41 papers included in previous meta-analyses on the same topic were invited to participate in the study. An online survey was conducted. Correspondence analysis was employed to analyze the aforementioned association.
Results
Attention, memory, and higher-level cognitive functions were primarily associated with the majority of the ACT’s technology features. The results demonstrated a main distinct cluster including these three dominant cognitive functions and predominantly all the “output” categories of technology features. Another smaller but distinct cluster including mental function of sequencing complex movements and “touch screen/touchpad” category of technology features was also demonstrated.
Conclusions
In line with previous studies, the largest proportion of ACTs have been used to assist primarily the aforementioned three cognitive functions. The new classification of ACT’s technology features based on cognitive function in this study can promote a common language and shared understanding for the prescription of technology.
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DD: designed the study, developed the methodology, created the survey, executed the study, tabulated the data, conducted data analysis, and wrote the paper. MAK collaborated with the design of the study, collaborated with the survey questions, and provided edits on the manuscript. JF collaborated with the survey questions and provided edits on manuscript. EB conducted data analysis and contributed to the data analysis section of the manuscript. AE assisted with the data analysis, collaborated with the survey questions, and provided edits on the manuscript.
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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Newcastle, Australia (H-2018-0334). The areas included in the ethics application were (a) the use of the participants, (b) content of the (i) survey (survey questions), (ii) participant information statement (PIS), and (iii) recruitment email, and (c) selection of the survey platform.
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Informed consent was obtained from all participants included in this study.
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Damianidou, D., Arthur-Kelly, M., Foggett, J. et al. Associating Cognitive Functions with Technology Features Used to Support Employment for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability. Adv Neurodev Disord 4, 413–429 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-020-00164-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-020-00164-9