Promoting foot-leg movements in children with multiple disabilities through the use of support devices and technology for regulating contingent stimulation.
The present study assessed the possibility of promoting pre-ambulatory foot-leg movements in children with multiple disabilities by motivating their action through contingent stimulation combined with a support device. Two children aged 10 and 8 years participated. Microswitch technology (i.e., pressure sensors under the shoes or optic sensors at the front-inner side of the shoes) served for detecting the foot-leg movements and providing contingent stimulation on their occurrence. Sensor activation produced 5 s of stimulation during intervention. Data showed that both children had significant increases in foot-leg movements during the intervention phases. Implications of the data in terms of skill acquisition and further intervention prospects are discussed.
Lancioni
Giulio E
GE
Singh
Nirbhay N
NN
O'Reilly
Mark F
MF
Sigafoos
Jeff
J
Oliva
Doretta
D
Scalini
Lorenza
L
Castagnaro
Francesca
F
Di Bari
Mauro
M
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D016896:Treatment Outcome