title: Microswitch and keyboard-emulator technology to facilitate the writing performance of persons with extensive motor disabilities.
abstract: This study assessed the effectiveness of microswitches for simple responses (i.e., partial hand closure, vocalization, and hand stroking) and a keyboard emulator to facilitate the writing performance of three participants with extensive motor disabilities. The study was carried out according to an ABAB design. During the A phases, the participants (one child and two adults) were to write using the responses and technology available to them prior to this study. During the B phases, they used the new responses and technology. Data showed that two of the three participants had a faster writing performance during the B phases while the third participant had a slower writing performance. All three participants indicated a clear preference for the use of the new responses and technology, which were considered relatively easy and comfortable to manage and did not seem to cause any specific signs of tiredness. Implications of the findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100 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: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Doretta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003142:Communication; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055616:Microtechnology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014831:Voice; D014956:Writing