A special messaging technology for two persons with acquired brain injury and multiple disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
To enable two persons with acquired brain injury and multiple (e.g. motor and visual) disabilities to communicate with distant partners through a special messaging technology, which served to send out text messages and read (listen to) incoming messages.


METHODS
The study was carried out according to a multiple probe design across participants. Both participants (adults) started with baseline in which the technology was not available and continued with intervention in which the technology was used. The technology involved a net-book computer provided with specific software, a global system for mobile communication (GSM) modem, microswitches and pre-recorded lists of persons and messages.


RESULTS
The participants' mean frequencies of messages sent out and received per 30-minute session were about three and two, respectively, during baseline and seven and four, respectively, during the intervention. All baseline messages were sent and received with guidance. Nearly all intervention messages were sent and received (listened to) independently by the participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Special messaging technology may help persons with multiple disabilities acquire high levels of independent, basic communication with distant partners.
Lancioni
Giulio E
GE
Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
Singh
Nirbhay N
NN
O'Reilly
Mark F
MF
Sigafoos
Jeff
J
Signorino
Mario
M
Oliva
Doretta
D
Alberti
Gloria
G
Carrella
Luigina
L
de Tommaso
Marina
M
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D040421:Cell Phone; D003142:Communication; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D003199:Computer Systems; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049250:Speech Recognition Software