title: A technology-based programme to help a post-coma man with profound multiple disabilities manage stimulation access and posture improvement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a technology-based programme to help a post-coma man with multiple disabilities access stimulation and control head posture (i.e. reduce head forward tilting).
  
  
  METHODS
  The response targeted within the programme was closing the sweater's zipper. This response (which could be repeated since the zipper tended to reopen automatically) was selected, as it led the man to raise his head spontaneously. The programme relied on microswitch sensors to monitor the response and turn on preferred stimuli following response occurrences. The programme was assessed via an ABAB design.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data showed that the man had significant increases in response frequencies during the intervention phases of the study with multiple occasions of stimulation access and head raising.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Technology-assisted programmes may represent a useful strategy for providing post-coma persons with multiple disabilities an active (self-control) role.
authors.affiliation: University of Bari, Department of Psychology, Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lancioni
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.forename: Nirbhay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Doretta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Fiora
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Megna
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buonocunto
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sacco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D014584:User-Computer Interface