Investigating the Efficacy of ApplTree on Prospective Memory in Stroke

After a stroke, people can experience memory problems, including difficulty remembering to do things in the future - termed "prospective memory". This can impact their ability to carry out important activities of daily living (e.g., taking medication), independence, and quality of life. Technology-based memory aids, including smartphone applications, can compensate for memory difficulties and are recommended as a 'practice standard' for improving prospective memory impairment following stroke. ApplTree is a smartphone application that was designed for people with memory and attention problems. Users can enter details of future tasks and events and ApplTree then prompts them to remind them to complete these at a pre-specified time. This study will investigate whether ApplTree helps people who have had a stroke and experience prospective memory difficulties to successfully complete prospective memory tasks. It will also explore whether they find ApplTree helpful and easy-to-use.

Inclusion Criteria:Community-dwelling individuals who have had a medically-confirmed stroke that occurred at least 3 months prior to recruitmentParticipants must have self- or other-reported prospective memory difficultiesParticipants must share accommodation with their nominated personParticipants must own and be competent in the use of a smartphone with a reliable internet connection. Nominated persons must also own and be competent in the use of a smartphone and this phone must be separate to that owned by the participants.Participants must have capacity to provide informed consentParticipants must be aged 18 years or overExclusion Criteria:Index stroke <3 months prior to recruitmentIndividuals who do not have capacity to provide informed consentNon-fluent English speakersAged <18yrsAphasia (a comprehension and communication disorder that may result from a stroke) that is of a level of severity where it would impact on participants' ability to interact with the ApplTree app and/or complete the study measuresDiagnosed pre-existing neurological conditionPsychiatric symptoms (e.g., depression) of sufficient severity to prevent engagement with the studyPre-existing dementia or acquired brain injuryCognitive impairment of sufficient severity that it would prevent the participant from using ApplTreeDo not currently use a smartphonePhysical, visual or auditory impairment which, if uncorrected, would prevent the participant from using a smartphoneCurrently participating in other researchCurrently receiving a neuropsychological rehabilitation intervention specifically targeting PM performance