title: Assisting persons with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in their leisure engagement and communication needs with a basic technology-aided program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Eye-tracking communication devices and brain-computer interfaces are the two resources available to help people with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) avoid isolation and passivity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed at assessing a technology-aided program (i.e., a third possible resource) for five patients with advanced ALS who needed support for communication and leisure activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participants were exposed to baseline and intervention conditions. The technology-aided program, which was used during the intervention, (a) included the communication and leisure options that each participant considered important for him or her (e.g., music, videos, statements/requests, and text messaging) and (b) allowed the participant to access those options with minimal responses (e.g., finger movement or eyelid closure) monitored via microswitches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants started leisure and communication engagement independently only during the intervention (i.e., when the program was used). The mean percentages of session time spent in those forms of engagement were between about 60 and 80. Preference checks and brief interviews indicated that participants and families liked the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The program might be viewed as an additional approach/resource for patients with advanced ALS.
authors.affiliation: University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulio E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lancioni
authors.affiliation: University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Isabella L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Simone
authors.affiliation: University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: De Caro
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Georgia, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, USA.
authors.forename: Nirbhay N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.affiliation: Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sigafoos
authors.affiliation: Lega F. D'Oro Research Center, Osimo, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferlisi
authors.affiliation: Lega F. D'Oro Research Center, Osimo, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zullo
authors.affiliation: S. Raffaele Medical Care Center, Modugno, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schirone
authors.affiliation: ISPE Medical Care Center, Mola di Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Floriana
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Denitto
authors.affiliation: ISPE Medical Care Center, Mola di Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zonno
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D062207:Brain-Computer Interfaces / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music / Q000523:psychology; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D060145:Text Messaging / Q000639:trends
keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; communication; leisure; microswitches; technology-aided program