Eye- and mouth-opening movements replacing head and hand responses in a microswitch program for an adolescent with deteriorating motor condition.
This study assessed the possibility of replacing head and hand responses (no longer feasible) with minimal movements within the microswitch-based program of an adolescent with deteriorating motor condition and multiple disabilities. The new movements, i.e., eye- and mouth-opening, were introduced individually and then combined through the simultaneous availability of the related microswitches. Data showed the participant acquired the new movements (responses) successfully and retained them at a 2-mo. postintervention check. Mood improvements, i.e., increases in indices of happiness, also occurred through the program. The conclusion was that a person with deteriorating motor conditions may be able to revitalize a microswitch-based occupational program and retain a constructive engagement if new, feasible responses are identified.
Lancioni
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GE
Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100 Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
Singh
N N
NN
O'Reilly
M F
MF
Sigafoos
J
J
Oliva
D
D
Severini
L
L
Groeneweg
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005143:Eyelids / Q000502:physiology*; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology*; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009055:Mouth / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data