Numeric input operation on electronic devices among individuals with visuospatial working memory impairment. Issue 5 (28th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sunagawa, Kosaku; Funayama, Michitaka; Nakagawa, Yoshitaka; Tanemura, Rumi
• Is Part Of: Neuropsychological rehabilitation. Volume 31:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 669
• Page End: 690
• Publication Date: 2021-05-28
• Subjects: Electronic devices -- Bálint syndrome -- Unilateral spatial neglect -- Visuospatial working memory impairment -- Instrumental activities of daily living; Brain damage -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Clinical neuropsychology -- Periodicals; 617.4810443
• DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2020.1723650
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-2011

Abstract

ABSTRACT : In human–computer interactions, higher-level visuospatial function is likely needed to effectively use the interface. The aim of this study is to clarify whether individuals with visuospatial defects can use electronic devices effectively. We quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed the ability of seven individuals with Bálint syndrome and seven individuals with left-unilateral spatial neglect (USN) to input a digit sequence into a flat touch interface. Control groups consisted of seven individuals with memory deficits and 11 healthy individuals. Participants with Bálint syndrome took longer and had more hesitations than the USN group and the two control groups to input numerical sequences (Steel-Dwass test, p < .01). In addition, participants with Bálint syndrome had a high percentage of hesitations for exploration of the button array on the interface relative to USN and the memory deficit group (Fisher's exact test, p < .05). Regarding neuropsychological data, participants with Bálint syndrome had a lower score for visuospatial working memory than participants with USN and the memory deficits control group (Steel-Dwass test, p < .01). The results shed some light on the relation between visuospatial working memory deficits and the spatial perception of interface layouts and spatial control during electronic device operation.