  Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause cognitive, communication, and
psychological challenges that profoundly limit independence in everyday life.
Conversational Agents (CAs) can provide individuals with TBI with cognitive and
communication support, although little is known about how they make use of CAs
to address injury-related needs. In this study, we gave nine adults with TBI an
at-home CA for four weeks to investigate use patterns, challenges, and design
requirements, focusing particularly on injury-related use. The findings
revealed significant gaps between the current capabilities of CAs and
accessibility challenges faced by TBI users. We also identified 14 TBI-related
activities that participants engaged in with CAs. We categorized those
activities into four groups: mental health, cognitive activities, healthcare
and rehabilitation, and routine activities. Design implications focus on
accessibility improvements and functional designs of CAs that can better
support the day-to-day needs of people with TBI.
