title: Microswitch technology and contingent stimulation to promote adaptive engagement in persons with minimally conscious state: a case evaluation.
abstract: This study assessed whether a post-coma woman functioning at the lower end of the minimally conscious state would (a) develop adaptive responding through the use of microswitch technology and contingent stimulation, (b) consolidate and maintain her responding over time, and (c) show evidence of response-consequences awareness (learning and discrimination). The study involved an ABABB1CB1 sequence in which the A represented baseline phases, the B and B1 intervention phases, and the C a control phase with continuous stimulation. Results indicated that the woman developed adaptive responding and consolidated it over the intervention phases of the study. The woman also showed evidence of being aware of response-consequences links. Potential implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100, Bari, Italy. g.lancioni@psico.uniba.it
authors: Giulio E
authors: GE
authors: Lancioni
authors: Nirbhay N
authors: NN
authors: Singh
authors: Mark F
authors: MF
authors: O'Reilly
authors: Jeff
authors: J
authors: Sigafoos
authors: Maria Teresa
authors: MT
authors: Amenduni
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Navarro
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Buonocunto
authors: Tommaso
authors: T
authors: Scarabino
authors: Marta Olivetti
authors: MO
authors: Belardinelli
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008405:Massage / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed