Lancioni Giulio E, Simone Isabella L, De Caro Maria F, Singh Nirbhay N, O'Reilly Mark F, Sigafoos Jeff, Ferlisi Gabriele, Zullo Valeria, Schirone Simona, Denitto Floriana, Zonno Nadia
University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, USA.
NeuroRehabilitation. 2015;36(3):355-65. doi: 10.3233/NRE-151224.
Eye-tracking communication devices and brain-computer interfaces are the two resources available to help people with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) avoid isolation and passivity.
This study was aimed at assessing a technology-aided program (i.e., a third possible resource) for five patients with advanced ALS who needed support for communication and leisure activities.
The participants were exposed to baseline and intervention conditions. The technology-aided program, which was used during the intervention, (a) included the communication and leisure options that each participant considered important for him or her (e.g., music, videos, statements/requests, and text messaging) and (b) allowed the participant to access those options with minimal responses (e.g., finger movement or eyelid closure) monitored via microswitches.
The participants started leisure and communication engagement independently only during the intervention (i.e., when the program was used). The mean percentages of session time spent in those forms of engagement were between about 60 and 80. Preference checks and brief interviews indicated that participants and families liked the program.
The program might be viewed as an additional approach/resource for patients with advanced ALS.
眼动追踪通信设备和脑机接口是可用于帮助晚期肌萎缩侧索硬化症（ALS）患者避免孤立和消极状态的两种资源。
本研究旨在评估一项技术辅助项目（即第三种可能的资源），该项目针对五名需要沟通和休闲活动支持的晚期ALS患者。
参与者经历了基线和干预条件。干预期间使用的技术辅助项目，（a）包括每个参与者认为对其重要的沟通和休闲选项（如音乐、视频、陈述/请求和短信），（b）允许参与者通过微动开关监测的最小反应（如手指移动或眼睑闭合）来访问这些选项。
参与者仅在干预期间（即使用该项目时）开始独立参与休闲和沟通活动。在这些参与形式中花费的会话时间平均百分比约为60%至80%。偏好检查和简短访谈表明参与者及其家人喜欢该项目。
该项目可被视为晚期ALS患者的一种额外方法/资源。
