Small hand-closure movements used as a response through microswitch technology by persons with multiple disabilities and minimal motor behavior.
This study assessed small hand-closure movements as a potential response for microswitch activation with two participants with profound multiple disabilities of 5.2 and 20.6 yr. of age. The microswitch consisted of a two-membrane thin pad fixed to the palm of the hand and a control system. The outer membrane (the one facing the fingers) was a touch-sensitive layer; the inner membrane was activated if the participant applied a pressure of over 20 gm. The activation of either membrane triggered an electronic control system, which in turn activated one or more preferred stimuli for 6 sec. except in baseline phases. Each participant received an ABAB sequence, in which A represented baseline and B intervention phases, and a 1-mo. postintervention check. Analysis showed both participants increased their responding during the intervention phases and maintained that responding at the postintervention check. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Lancioni
G E
GE
Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100 Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
O'Reilly
M F
MF
Singh
N N
NN
Sigafoos
J
J
Didden
R
R
Oliva
D
D
Montironi
G
G
La Martire
M L
ML
D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology