title: A man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis uses a mouth pressure microswitch to operate a text messaging system with a word prediction function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether a man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis could benefit from using (a) a mouth pressure microswitch instead of an optic microswitch activated via head movement and (b) a special word prediction function within a text messaging system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Initially, both microswitches were used for operating the text messaging system, and their effectiveness and the man's preference were assessed. Subsequently, only the mouth microswitch was used and the messaging system was provided with a word prediction function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The man was more efficient/rapid in using the text messaging (i.e., in writing) with the mouth microswitch and preferred such a microswitch. Similarly, he was more rapid in writing when the word prediction function was added (as opposed to the initial phase of the study when such function was not available) and preferred to use it.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Technology updates are critical in helping persons with motor degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of 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: 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: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schirone
authors.forename: Doretta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oliva
mesh_terms: D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D004867:Equipment Design; D019416:Head Movements; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth; D060145:Text Messaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014956:Writing