1. A technology-aided program to support leisure engagement and communication by a man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Author
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Ida Blotta, Mark F. O’Reilly, Gabriele Ferlisi, Doretta Oliva, Giulio E. Lancioni, Irene Ricci, Antonella Spica, and Nirbhay N. Singh
- Subjects
Male ,business.product_category ,Interface (computing) ,Applied psychology ,computer.software_genre ,Phase (combat) ,law.invention ,Communication Aids for Disabled ,User-Computer Interface ,Leisure Activities ,Microcomputers ,Developmental Neuroscience ,law ,Intervention (counseling) ,medicine ,Humans ,Disabled Persons ,Session (computer science) ,Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ,Virtual keyboard ,Multimedia ,Communication ,Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ,Rehabilitation ,General Medicine ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Clicker ,Caregivers ,Laptop ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,business ,Psychology ,computer - Abstract
Objective: To assess a technology-aided programme for promoting leisure engagement and communication in a man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Method: The programme involved a laptop computer equipped with a Clicker 5 software package, an optic microswitch and an interface device. The participant could choose between two leisure options (i.e. songs and videos), could write requests and general messages through a virtual keyboard and a microswitch and could have the written text read out to caregivers and staff.Results: The use of the programme increased the mean frequency of words written to about 15 per 20-minute session during the second intervention phase. Those words were used by the participant for formulating a mean of over two requests/messages per session. The participant also listened to songs and watched videos.Conclusion: A simple technology-aided programme may allow ALS patients to manage leisure engagement and communication.
- Published
- 2012
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