title: A technology-assisted learning setup as assessment supplement for three persons with a diagnosis of post-coma vegetative state and pervasive motor impairment.
abstract: Post-coma persons in an apparent condition of vegetative state and pervasive motor impairment pose serious problems in terms of assessment and intervention options. A technology-based learning assessment procedure might serve for them as a diagnostic supplement with possible implications for rehabilitation intervention. The learning assessment procedure adopted in this study relied on hand-closure and eye-blinking responses and on microswitch technology to detect such responses and to present stimuli. Three participants were involved in the study. The technology consisted of a touch/pressure sensor fixed on the hand or an optic sensor mounted on an eyeglasses' frame, which were combined with a control system linked to stimulus sources. The study adopted an ABABCB sequence, in which A represented baseline periods, B intervention periods with stimuli contingent on the responses, and C a control condition with stimuli presented non-contingently. Data showed that the level of responding during the B phases was significantly higher than the levels observed during the A phases as well as the C phase for two of the three participants (i.e., indicating clear signs of learning by them). Learning might be deemed to represent basic levels of knowledge/consciousness. Thus, detecting signs of learning might help one revise a previous diagnosis of vegetative state with wide implications for rehabilitation perspectives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
authors.forename: Giulio E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lancioni
authors.forename: Nirbhay N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sigafoos
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buonocunto
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colonna
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Crocifissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lanzilotti
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bosco
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Megna
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Tommaso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001767:Blinking; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003128:Coma / Q000150:complications*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012656:Self-Help Devices