Technology-based intervention options for post-coma persons with minimally conscious state and pervasive motor disabilities.
BACKGROUND
Intervention strategies, based on learning principles and assistive technology, were assessed with four post-coma persons with minimally conscious state and pervasive motor disabilities.


METHODS
The first study taught a man to access environmental stimulation through a response-microswitch combination and another man to access environmental stimulation and request social contact through responses combined with a microswitch or a Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA). The second study taught a man to access two forms of environmental stimulation via two response-microswitch combinations and another man to request two forms of contact via two response-VOCA combinations.


RESULTS
Data showed that all participants had significant increases in response levels (independent of whether the responses were combined with microswitch or VOCA devices) during the intervention phases of the studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Intervention strategies based on learning principles and technology may be largely helpful for persons with minimally conscious state and pervasive motor disabilities.
Lancioni
Giulio E
GE
University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
O'Reilly
Mark F
MF
Singh
Nirbhay N
NN
Buonocunto
Francesca
F
Sacco
Valentina
V
Colonna
Fabio
F
Navarro
Jorge
J
Oliva
Doretta
D
Megna
Gianfranco
G
Bosco
Andrea
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome