Augmentative and Alternative Communication Training Using Eye Blink Switch for Locked-in Syndrome Patient.
Locked-in Syndrome is a severe pontine stroke causing quadriplegia, lower cranial nerve paralysis, and mutism with preservation of only vertical gaze and upper eyelid movement in a conscious patient. We present a case of a Locked-in Syndrome patient who received communication training with augmentative and alternative communication equipment by using eye blinks. After 3 weeks of training, the patient was able to make an attempt to interact with other people, and associate a new word by Korean alphabet selection. Augmentative and alternative communication equipment which uses eye blinks might be considered to be beneficial in improving the communication skills of locked-in syndrome patients.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Center, Seoul 142-884, Korea.
Si-Woon
SW
Park
You-Lim
YL
Yim
Sook-Hee
SH
Yi
Hyun-Young
HY
Kim
Seung-Min
SM
Jung