Abstract
Aphasia is a partial or total loss of the ability to articulate ideas or comprehend spoken language, resulting from brain damage, in a person whose language skills were previously normal. Our goal was to find out how a storytelling app can help people with aphasia to communicate and share daily experiences. For this purpose, the Aphasia Create app was created for tablets, along with Aphastory for the Google Glass device. These applications facilitate social participation and enhance quality of life by using visual storytelling forms composed of photos, drawings, icons, etc., that can be saved and shared. We performed usability tests (supervised by a neuropsychologist) on six participants with aphasia who were able to communicate. Our work contributes (1) evidence that the functions implemented in the Aphasia Create tablet app suit the needs of target users, but older people are often not familiar with tactile devices, (2) reports that the Google Glass device may be problematic for persons with right-hand paresis, and (3) a characterization of the design guidelines for apps for aphasics. Both applications can be used to work with people with aphasia, and can be further developed. Aphasic centers, in which the apps were presented, expressed interest in using them to work with patients. The Aphasia Create app won the Enactus Poland National Competition in 2015.
Highlights
Aphasia can be caused by brain damage of various origins—e.g., stroke, brain tumor, or head trauma—located in the brain area associated with language processing
We started our work with the analysis of the available storytelling software solutions, aiming at obtaining applications designed for persons with aphasia in order to improve communication by storytelling methods
We took into account the typical functionalities of mobile and wearable devices, and how they could be used for building robust applications with an easy-to-use interface
Summary
Aphasia can be caused by brain damage of various origins—e.g., stroke, brain tumor, or head trauma—located in the brain area associated with language processing. Receptive aphasia (Wernicke’s aphasia) negatively affects the comprehension of language—individuals do not understand spoken or read words. The combination of both cases results in global aphasia, wherein both the production and understanding of language become impossible [3,4]. An additional problem faced by people with aphasia is difficulty in remembering the chronology of events and the times when things happened. These problems significantly degrade the quality of the individuals’ lives, especially regarding interaction involving interpersonal communication [5]. Avoidance of social contact and the feeling of being rejected by part of society hinder their rehabilitation, and make it difficult to return to normal life
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
