title: A voice-sensitive microswitch for a man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and pervasive motor impairment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess a voice-sensitive microswitch for a 67-year-old man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who had difficulties continuing to use an optic microswitch through small chin movements.
  
  
  METHODS
  The man used the microswitches in combination with a computer-aided program to (a) access preferred songs and videos or make requests, and (b) operate a messaging system to communicate with his wife and sons. To assess the man's performance with the two microswitches, we alternated sessions with one microswitch with sessions with the other.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The man's performance with the new microswitch was apparently more efficient (i.e. he could generally activate the new microswitch with a single attempt while he needed a mean of about two attempts for each activation of the optic microswitch). The man also developed a clear preference for the new microswitch.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Technology updates are critical within programs for persons with motor degeneration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A microswitch that can be used efficiently and without effort is critically important for a person with ALS. The microswitch can be used with programs that allow the person to manage leisure stimulus events, request opportunities and/or text messaging communication. The microswitch needs to be updated (changed) in relation to the person's physical deterioration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari , Bari , Italy .
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: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferlisi
authors.forename: Giacomina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferrarese
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zullo
authors.forename: Doretta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliva
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055616:Microtechnology / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D049250:Speech Recognition Software; D014831:Voice