There is a growing digital divide in the use of technology between those with disabilities, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), and those without (Johansson et al., 2021). Clinical guidelines recommend comprehensive cognitive-communicative assessment and intervention be provided to assist individuals with TBI reintegrate into their daily lives (Togher et al., 2023).

Objectives: The aim of this scoping review is to synthesise the current evidence on both dynamic assessment methods and technology-mediated communication assessment in adults with TBI.

Methods: The review was conducted according to a published protocol (Lu et al., 2024). Two search queries were developed to address technology-mediated communication assessment and dynamic assessment respectively. These search queries were entered into multiple electronic databases, including CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, MEDLINE (Ovid), and Web of Science.

Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed research with at least one adult participant with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, alongside a technology-mediated communication or dynamic assessment element. Two rounds of screening were completed. 20% of the studies were screened by a second reviewer in both rounds, achieving a Kappa score of >0.8 and agreement of >90%.

Results: Systematic scoping searches identified approximately 10,000 articles collectively. Six dynamic assessment articles have met inclusion criteria. Screening of technology-mediated communication articles is ongoing.

Preliminary findings have indicated that there is limited research into the field of dynamic assessment for adults with TBI. In addition, technology-mediated communication skills are rarely investigated explicitly and are frequently only included as a small part of a larger assessment battery of daily activities skills.

Conclusions: It is apparent that dynamic assessment and technology-mediated communication are gaps in the literature that need to be addressed. This highlights the need for future research to support clinical assessment in these areas. Complete findings of the review will be presented.

Johansson, S., Gulliksen, J., & Gustavsson, C. (2021). Disability digital divide: the use of the internet, smartphones, computers and tablets among people with disabilities in Sweden. Universal access in the information society, 20(1), 105-120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-020-00714-x

Lu, S., Power, E., & Bryant, L. (2024, February 1). Dynamic Assessment Procedures and Technology-mediated Communication Assessment in Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/4UWSM

Togher, L., Douglas, J., Turkstra, L. S., Welch-West, P., Janzen, S., Harnett, A., Kennedy, M., Kua, A., Patsakos, E., Ponsford, J., Teasell, R., Bayley, M. T., & Wiseman-Hakes, C. (2023). INCOG 2.0 Guidelines for Cognitive Rehabilitation Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Part IV: Cognitive-Communication and Social Cognition Disorders. The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 38(1), 65-82. https://doi.org/10.1097/HTR.0000000000000835