Effectiveness of Use of Button-Operated Electronic Devices Among Persons With Bálint Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about how visuospatial deficits affect the use of electronic devices operated by pressing spatially interspersed buttons. This study aimed to determine whether people with Balint syndrome can effectively use such devices. METHOD: We quantified the ability of 7 study participants with Balint syndrome to use button-operated electronic devices by measuring the time required to input digit sequences into three different types of devices. Control groups were 8 participants with amnesia and 8 healthy participants. RESULTS: Participants with Balint syndrome took longer to input a digit sequence on all three devices than did those in the two control groups. Although we found no significant differences with respect to type of device, 2 of 3 participants with severe Balint syndrome were able to input one- to five-digit sequences with the electronic calculator. CONCLUSION: Distinctive design features might positively affect the performance of people with Balint syndrome.