Article

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. OBJECTIVES: 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. METHOD: 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.

Langue : ANGLAIS