title: Microswitch-aided programs with contingent stimulation versus general stimulation programs for post-coma persons with multiple disabilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assessing the impact of microswitch-aided programs with contingent stimulation on response engagement (Study I) and post-session alertness (Study II) of post-coma participants with multiple disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study I included three participants whose scores on the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) were 11 or 13. Study II included three participants whose CRS-R scores were 19, 13, and 14. In both studies, the participants received sessions with contingent stimulation (i.e., sessions in which activation of a microswitch with an eyelid or hand response produced 15 s of preferred stimulation) and sessions with general, non-contingent stimulation (i.e., stimulation lasted throughout the sessions).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study I showed an increase in response engagement/frequencies only during the contingent stimulation sessions. Study II showed that the participants' level of vigilance after those sessions was higher than after non-contingent stimulation sessions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microswitch-aided programs with contingent stimulation would be more beneficial than programs with general/non-contingent stimulation.
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: Vanessa A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buonocunto
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Crocifissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lanzilotti
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olivetti Belardinelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003128:Coma / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D012656:Self-Help Devices
keywords: Alertness; consciousness disorders; contingent stimulation; microswitches; motor impairment; response engagement