title: Assistive technology to promote leisure and constructive engagement by two boys emerged from a minimal conscious state.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Post-coma persons with multiple disabilities may represent a challenge to rehabilitation centers, due to their clinical conditions. Moreover, they can failed to engage adaptive responses aimed at the self-management of environmental stimuli.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact and social rating of a new assistive technology set-up for promoting constructive engagement by two post-coma boys emerged from a minimal conscious state.
  
  
  METHODS
  During baseline sessions, the participants were provided with a mouse to manage the computer system. During intervention phases, a new technology was implemented, allowing both participants to manage environmental stimuli with a microswitch instead of the mouse. Furthermore, a social validation assessment was carried out, involving students as raters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data showed an increasing of constructive engagement by both participants during intervention phases. Sixty psychology students (social raters) favoured the new technology on a six items questionnaire (i.e. enjoyment, suitability, rehabilitation, independence, daily context and support).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new technology was suitable, affordable, effective and socially preferable.
authors.affiliation: Lega del Filo d'Oro Research Center, Molfetta, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stasolla
authors.affiliation: University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Pace
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Assistive technology; acquired brain injury; consciousness disorders; extensive motor disabilities; rehabilitation psychology; social validation