Citation

Lemoncello R, Sohlberg MM, Fickas S. Brain Inj. 2010; 24(3): 550-559.

Affiliation

Speech & Hearing Sciences, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/02699050903446807

PMID

20184412

Abstract

Primary objective: To investigate and describe getting lost behaviour and wayfinding strategies among acquired brain injury (ABI) survivors and matched controls. Research design: Matched control group comparison design. Methods and procedures: This study compared wayfinding performance of 18 adults with acquired brain injury to controls matched for gender, age and education. Participants followed written directions along an eight-step route in an unfamiliar neighbourhood, with three intentionally challenging choice-points. They used a cellular phone to request assistance if they became lost. Dependent measures included accuracy, directness and wayfinding strategy. Statistical and qualitative analyses explored group themes and differences. Main results: Participants with ABI demonstrated significantly greater on-route wayfinding errors and hesitancy than matched controls. The ABI group requested assistance over the cell phone more frequently than controls and required more attempts at re-orientation with concrete, salient directions in order to re-orient in the field. Participants in the control group anticipated errors with greater frequency than those with ABI. Conclusions: ABI survivors demonstrated greater challenges with wayfinding than matched controls. Re-orientation required concrete, explicit redirection with reference to salient landmarks. Implications for clinical practice and assistive technology are discussed.

Language: en