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A memory aid, that used brief (33ms) presentations of previously learned information (target words), was assessed on its ability to reinforce memory for target words while the subject was performing an interference task. The interference task required subjects to learn new words and thus interfered with their memory of the target words. The brief presentation (momentary memory priming) was hypothesized to refresh the subjects' memory of the target words. 143 subjects, in a within subject design, were given a 33ms presentation of the target memory words during the interference task in a treatment condition and a blank 33ms presentation in the control condition. The primary dependent measure, memory loss over the interference trial, was not significantly different between the two conditions. The memory prime did not appear to hinder the subjects' performance on the interference task. This paper describes the experiment and the results along with suggestions for future research.

Defining health and economic burden of Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) in Canada is critical to inform Public Health Policy around immunization programs. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to assess available studies, a lack of comprehensive Canadian data to allow evaluation of total economic burden of IMD was identified in Canada. Thus, this dissertation proposes a prospective cost collection methodology tailored to Canadian data and healthcare utilization (HCU). All patient-related HCU is considered and outlined. HCU is then categorized as direct or indirect and relevant direct and indirect healthcare costs are detailed. Intangible costs are described and methodology for capturing these costs using validated quality of life instruments is proposed. As all published economic evaluations of this disease lack prospective collection of data, this study proposes the use of a patient diary to serve as a memory aid during patient cost-collection interviews.

Throughout a typical day, people complete myriad tasks and activities such as locking the front door as they run errands around the neighborhood, preparing meals and drinks, taking care of family, pets, plants, and so on. In managing the progress of these everyday activities, people may nd themselves needing to recall what they have already done. In this research, I explored how to design an unobtrusive memory aid that reduces the cost of distraction and general multitasking by fluidly supporting memory recall of repetitive actions. I built the Cook's Collage as one example system that captures close-range photographs of ingredient additions during everyday home cooking to display as an ongoing visual summary of the open-ended activity. I contribute this augmentative technology as a memory aid in contrast to more directive, obtrusive, and yet constrained systems that seek to remove human error through automation and scripted guidance. I explored how to evaluate memory augmentation by simulating real-life situations of multitasking and interruptions that distracted cooks participating in my experimental study. From examining their behavior and attitudes with and without the Cook's Collage, I demonstrated that 1) Visually summarizing activities by capturing items used within the activity in the same physical surroundings can provide sufficient context in recalling memory for actions, 2) User interaction with accurate memory support that complements and supplements rather than interferes with memory practices, activity constraints, and environmental surroundings can effectively augment memory recall, and 3) Barriers to using provided memory support can include unawareness of memory need and predilection to own memory ability and routine.

In assistive technology, there are mainly two different users that needs to be taken into account when developing products. The first, and most important, is the end-user who requires the product in order to function and live a normal life. The second is the support person who, for some products, needs to assist the end-user by preparing it to be used. This report presents the master thesis project conducted by Mattias Bygge and Sofie Strand at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. The client was Abilia, a company that research, develop, manufacture and sell assistive technology to people with impairments. This main goal of this project was to redesign a cognitive planning board. The product is used as a visual aid by people who has difficulties in planning daily activities and keeping track of time. In order to develop the product in a suitable way, a literature study and interviews with Abilia’s employees laid the foundation for the user studies that were conducted with end-users and support people. Several concepts were generated and five were evaluated against the original product and presented to the company. The two concepts that received the highest ranking, (1) Extra Hours and (2) Extra Hours Bistable, were further investigated and were eventually developed into one single hybrid concept. The final design proposal is Day Master, a flexible planning board intended for people with a cognitive impairment that impedes their ability to plan daily activities and keep track of time. The product visually displays time and weekdays by using coloured LED lights, which support people may program without difficulty to fit the end-user’s preference. The amount of hours is changeable with a range of 12-18 hours of daytime and with the remaining hours distributed to night-time. The accessories that have been developed for this products are a simple protective cover, and two holders, one for images and one for whiteboard markers. All accessories attaches to the planning board with magnets. / I hjälpmedelsteknologi är det fler än en användare som man måste ta hänsyn till när man utvecklar produkter. Den första och viktigaste är slutanvändaren som är den som behöver produkten i vardagen för att kunna leva ett någorlunda normalt liv. Den andra är stödpersonen som i många fall är den som förbereder produkten för användning av slutanvändaren. Denna rapport presenterar masterexamensarbetet utfört av Mattias Bygge och Sofie Strand på KTH Kungliga Tekniska Högskola i Stockholm. Kunden för projektet var Abilia, ett företag som utvecklar, tillverkar, och säljer hjälpmedel till personer med funktionsnedsättning. Målet med detta projekt var att omdesigna deras kognitiva planeringstavla. Produkten används som ett visuellt hjälpmedel av personer som har problem med tidsuppfattning och planering av aktiviteter. Projektet inleddes genom en literaturstudie och intervjuer med personal på Abilia. Detta lade grunden för användarstudierna där både slutanvändare och stödpersoner deltog. Utifrån användarstudierna så genererades ett flertal koncept varav fem stycken evaluerades mot original produkten och som presenterades för företaget under en delpresentation. De två koncept som erhöll högsta ranking i evalueringen var (1) Extra Hours och (2) Extra Hours Bistable. Koncepten undersöktes ytterligare och kom slutligen att kombineras till ett gemensamt koncept. Det slutgiltiga designförslaget är Day Master, en flexibel planeringstavla som riktar sig mot personer med en kognitiv funktionsnedsättning som försvårar för dem att hålla koll på tiden och planera aktiviteter. Produkten visar tid och veckodagar visuellt med hjälp av färgade LED lampor som stödpersonerna lätt och intuitivt kan programmera för att passa slutanvändarens individuella behov. Day Master ger möjligheten att själv bestämma antalet timmar som distribueras mellan dag och natt. Den har ett spann på 12-18 timmar för dagtid och återstående timmar läggs på natttid. Tillbehören som har utvecklats för denna produkt är ett enkelt magnetiskt plastskydd och två stycken olika ställ, ett för bilder och ett för whiteboardpennor. Alla tillbehör fästs på whiteboardtavlan med hjälp av magneter.

In assistive technology, there are mainly two different users that needs to be taken into account when developing products. The first, and most important, is the end-user who requires the product in order to function and live a normal life. The second is the support person who, for some products, needs to assist the end-user by preparing it to be used. This report presents the master thesis project conducted by Mattias Bygge and Sofie Strand at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. The client was Abilia, a company that research, develop, manufacture and sell assistive technology to people with impairments. This main goal of this project was to redesign a cognitive planning board. The product is used as a visual aid by people who has difficulties in planning daily activities and keeping track of time. In order to develop the product in a suitable way, a literature study and interviews with Abilia’s employees laid the foundation for the user studies that were conducted with end-users and support people. Several concepts were generated and five were evaluated against the original product and presented to the company. The two concepts that received the highest ranking, (1) Extra Hours and (2) Extra Hours Bistable, were further investigated and were eventually developed into one single hybrid concept. The final design proposal is Day Master, a flexible planning board intended for people with a cognitive impairment that impedes their ability to plan daily activities and keep track of time. The product visually displays time and weekdays by using coloured LED lights, which support people may program without difficulty to fit the end-user’s preference. The amount of hours is changeable with a range of 12-18 hours of daytime and with the remaining hours distributed to night-time. The accessories that have been developed for this products are a simple protective cover, and two holders, one for images and one for whiteboard markers. All accessories attaches to the planning board with magnets. / I hjälpmedelsteknologi är det fler än en användare som man måste ta hänsyn till när man utvecklar produkter. Den första och viktigaste är slutanvändaren som är den som behöver produkten i vardagen för att kunna leva ett någorlunda normalt liv. Den andra är stödpersonen som i många fall är den som förbereder produkten för användning av slutanvändaren. Denna rapport presenterar masterexamensarbetet utfört av Mattias Bygge och Sofie Strand på KTH Kungliga Tekniska Högskola i Stockholm. Kunden för projektet var Abilia, ett företag som utvecklar, tillverkar, och säljer hjälpmedel till personer med funktionsnedsättning. Målet med detta projekt var att omdesigna deras kognitiva planeringstavla. Produkten används som ett visuellt hjälpmedel av personer som har problem med tidsuppfattning och planering av aktiviteter. Projektet inleddes genom en literaturstudie och intervjuer med personal på Abilia. Detta lade grunden för användarstudierna där både slutanvändare och stödpersoner deltog. Utifrån användarstudierna så genererades ett flertal koncept varav fem stycken evaluerades mot original produkten och som presenterades för företaget under en delpresentation. De två koncept som erhöll högsta ranking i evalueringen var (1) Extra Hours och (2) Extra Hours Bistable. Koncepten undersöktes ytterligare och kom slutligen att kombineras till ett gemensamt koncept. Det slutgiltiga designförslaget är Day Master, en flexibel planeringstavla som riktar sig mot personer med en kognitiv funktionsnedsättning som försvårar för dem att hålla koll på tiden och planera aktiviteter. Produkten visar tid och veckodagar visuellt med hjälp av färgade LED lampor som stödpersonerna lätt och intuitivt kan programmera för att passa slutanvändarens individuella behov. Day Master ger möjligheten att själv bestämma antalet timmar som distribueras mellan dag och natt. Den har ett spann på 12-18 timmar för dagtid och återstående timmar läggs på natttid. Tillbehören som har utvecklats för denna produkt är ett enkelt magnetiskt plastskydd och två stycken olika ställ, ett för bilder och ett för whiteboardpennor. Alla tillbehör fästs på whiteboardtavlan med hjälp av magneter.