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1.
Neurosci Lett ; 574: 21-5, 2014 Jun 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24846414

ABSTRACT

Sex hormonal variations have been shown to affect functional cerebral asymmetries in cognitive domains, contributing to sex-related differences in functional cerebral organization. The aim of this study was to investigate spatial attention by means of a bisection line test and computer-supported attention task during the menstrual cycle in healthy women compared to men, in basal condition and under Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (TDCS) of the left parietal cortex. Women were studied during the menses, follicular and luteal phases, ascertained by transvaginal ultrasounds. In basal conditions, women showed a clear deviation toward the right in the bisection line test during the menstrual phase, similarly to men. The midpoint recognition in the computer-supported attention task was not influenced by the menstrual cycle for women, while men showed a significant increase in errors toward the left side. The anodal activation of the left parietal cortex did not affect the line bisection task, while in men it reduced the total amount of errors in midpoint recognition observed in the computer supported attention task. The hand-use effect demonstrated by the bisection-line test could be influenced by estrogen fluctuations, while the right hemisphere prevalence in spatial attention appears to be gender-related and scarcely influenced by the menstrual cycle. The left parietal cortex seems to exert a scarce effect on hand-use effect, while its activation is able to revert sex related right hemisphere supremacy.


Subject(s)
Attention/physiology , Menstrual Cycle , Parietal Lobe/physiology , Spatial Processing/physiology , Adult , Electrodes , Female , Functional Laterality , Humans , Male , Recognition, Psychology , Sex Factors , Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation , Young Adult
2.
Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol ; 25(1 Suppl): 23S-28S, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22652158

ABSTRACT

Cervical dystonia is a syndrome characterized by anomalous postures and unintentional repetitive movements of the head and the neck. Aim of this study is to show the effectiveness of the combined treatment botulinum toxin-FKT through the use of a recent methodic of investigation, myoton, and of the classical clinical evaluations, such as Tsui and VAS scales. 15 patients (9 females, 6 males) have been selected. During the initial visit and in the following controls, performed every month, patients have been submitted to physiatric examination, clinical evaluation of the dystonia through the Tsui scale, clinical evaluation of the pain through the VAS scale, myometric evaluation. We obtained a statistical reduction of muscular tone values in passive elongation (t0=16,34±1,23) until 4 month (t4 =16,11±1,23), when we performed a second infiltration. After 4 months from the second infiltration (t8=15,99±1,11) value did not present more some statistical correlation and was necessary to perform a new infiltration. Values of elasticity, stiffness, Tsui and VAS scale followed the same course of the tone. Our study demonstrates that combined treatment botulinum toxin-FKT is effective. It emerges that if to the treatment with botulinum toxin follows a suitable FKT treatment, the effect of the drug lasts 4 months and not 3 months as described by the literature. Our study has underlined that using myometric measurement we can consider least changes in muscular tone, elasticity and stiffness; we have a broader view of the spastic muscle, and we can better plan appropriate rehabilitative care for each patient.


Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins, Type A/therapeutic use , Torticollis/drug therapy , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Pain Measurement , Torticollis/physiopathology
3.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol ; 6(2): 108-14, 2011.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20545564

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate technology-assisted programs to help a man with pervasive motor disabilities and an adolescent with multiple disabilities manage the use of a radio and a special messaging system, respectively. METHOD: The technology for the man (Study I) involved a modified radio device, an electronic control unit, an amplified MP3 player with verbal questions about radio operations (changes), and an optic microswitch. This allowed the man to respond to the questions and carry out operations through minimal chin movement. The technology for the adolescent (Study II) involved a net-book computer fitted with specifically designed software, a global system for mobile communication (GSM) modem, and an optic microswitch. This allowed the adolescent to select the persons to whom he wanted to send messages and the messages to send them, and to listen to messages sent to him. RESULTS: The data showed that both programs were effective, with the two participants learning to use the radio and the messaging system, respectively. CONCLUSION: Technology-assisted programs may represent useful tools for providing persons with pervasive and multiple disabilities leisure and communication opportunities.


Subject(s)
Communication , Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Radio/instrumentation , User-Computer Interface , Adolescent , Computer User Training , Humans , Male , Middle Aged
8.
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med ; 44(4): 449-53, 2008 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19002094

ABSTRACT

Prior to the beginning of this study, the participant (an adolescent with postcoma multiple disabilities) had learned to use a forehead-skin response to access environmental stimuli. These learning data seemed to indicate a minimally conscious state (i.e., awareness of the link between response and stimuli) in spite of 1) a previous diagnosis of postcoma vegetative state; and 2) concomitant electrophysiological measurement showing no evidence of a passive P300 response and of mismatch negativity. The present study was an effort to extend the early learning investigation with two additional responses and related stimuli to broaden learning evidence and ascertain possible choice behavior. Results indicated that the participant learned the new responses and also provided evidence of choice behavior. These data were discussed in terms of the usefulness of the learning paradigm in the assessment and rehabilitation of persons with postcoma multiple disabilities and consciousness disorders.


Subject(s)
Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Persistent Vegetative State/rehabilitation , Adolescent , Choice Behavior , Communication Aids for Disabled , Forehead/physiology , Humans , Male , Movement/physiology , Physical Stimulation
9.
Percept Mot Skills ; 107(1): 114-8, 2008 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18986038

ABSTRACT

Children with severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities often present problems of balance and locomotion and spend much of their time sitting or lying, with negative consequences for their development and social image. This study provides a replication of recent (pilot) studies using a walker (support) device and microswitches with preferred stimuli to promote locomotion in two children with multiple disabilities. One child used an ABAB design; the other only an AB sequence. Both succeeded in increasing their frequencies of step responses during the B (intervention) phase(s). These findings support the positive evidence already available on the effectiveness of this intervention in motivating and promoting children's locomotion.


Subject(s)
Developmental Disabilities/rehabilitation , Disabled Children/rehabilitation , Electronics, Medical/instrumentation , Locomotion/physiology , Self-Help Devices/statistics & numerical data , Walkers/statistics & numerical data , Child , Child, Preschool , Communication Aids for Disabled , Conditioning, Operant , Equipment Design , Female , Humans , Male , Microcomputers , Motivation , Motor Skills Disorders/rehabilitation
10.
Psychol Rep ; 102(3): 935-8, 2008 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18763467

ABSTRACT

Microswitches are technical devices designed to enable persons with multiple disabilities to control environmental events, generally preferred stimuli such as music and lights, using simple/feasible responses. For example, a sound-detecting microswitch may allow a person to turn on brief periods of preferred stimulation through simple vocal responses. This study compared the accuracy of two versions of a sound-detecting microswitch, i.e., one using a throat microphone and the other both throat and airborne microphones, for a man with multiple disabilities. Analysis showed that the latter microswitch version radically reduced the false activations present with the former microswitch version. Thus, the latter version seemed to have a clear accuracy advantage over the former with important practical implications.


Subject(s)
Communication Methods, Total , Disabled Persons , Speech , Abnormalities, Multiple , Adult , Amplifiers, Electronic , Humans , Male
11.
J Intellect Disabil Res ; 52(Pt 6): 503-9, 2008 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18384537

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Little is known about behavioural flexibility in children and adults with Angelman syndrome and whether people with this syndrome have more or less problems in being behaviourally flexible as compared with other people. METHOD: Behavioural flexibility scores were assessed in 129 individuals with Angelman syndrome using 11 items from the Behavioural Flexibility Rating Scale-Revised (Green et al. 2007). Level of behavioural flexibility scores in individuals with Angelman syndrome (N = 129) was compared with that of people with non-specific intellectual disability (ID) (N = 90), Down syndrome (N = 398) and Autism spectrum disorder (N = 235). RESULTS: Comparative analyses show that individuals with Angelman syndrome were more flexible than those with non-specific ID (P < 0.001) and those with Autism spectrum disorder (P < 0.01). There were no differences in behavioural flexibility scores between individuals with Angelman syndrome and those with Down syndrome (P = 0.94). CONCLUSION: It is concluded that individuals with Angelman syndrome are comparatively flexible in their behaviour.


Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Angelman Syndrome/diagnosis , Autistic Disorder/diagnosis , Child Behavior Disorders/diagnosis , Down Syndrome/diagnosis , Intellectual Disability/diagnosis , Social Behavior , Social Environment , Adolescent , Adult , Angelman Syndrome/psychology , Autistic Disorder/psychology , Child , Child Behavior Disorders/psychology , Child, Preschool , Down Syndrome/psychology , Female , Humans , Infant , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Male , Personality Assessment/statistics & numerical data , Psychometrics
12.
J Intellect Disabil Res ; 52(Pt 4): 327-36, 2008 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18339095

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Direct access to environmental stimuli and opportunity to ask for social contact/attention may be considered highly relevant objectives for persons with multiple disabilities. We assessed the possibility of enabling three of these persons (two children and one adolescent) to combine two microswitches (for accessing environmental stimuli) and a Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA), which allowed them to ask for caregiver's attention. METHODS: Initially, the participants were required to use each of the two microswitches individually and then together. Thereafter, they were taught to use the VOCA. Eventually, the VOCA was available together with the microswitches, and the participants could use any of the three. RESULTS: The results, which support preliminary data on this topic, showed that all participants (1) were able to operate the two microswitches as well as the VOCA; and (2) used all three of them consistently when they were simultaneously available. CONCLUSIONS: Teaching persons with multiple disabilities to combine a VOCA with conventional microswitches may enrich their general input, emphasize their active social role and eventually enhance their social image.


Subject(s)
Communication Aids for Disabled/psychology , Communication , Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Intellectual Disability/rehabilitation , Quadriplegia/rehabilitation , Social Behavior , Adolescent , Attention/physiology , Caregivers , Child , Disabled Children/psychology , Disabled Children/rehabilitation , Disabled Persons/psychology , Female , Humans , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Male , Physical Stimulation , Quadriplegia/psychology
13.
Percept Mot Skills ; 105(2): 362-72, 2007 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18065057

ABSTRACT

Two single-case studies were carried out using different procedural and technological approaches to enable two adolescents with multiple disabilities to choose among environmental stimuli. Study I focused on replicating a recently developed procedure, which relied on samples of the auditory stimuli available as cues for choice responses. Study II assessed a new procedural and technical setup relying on the use of pictorial representations of the stimuli available as cues for choice responses. The auditory samples and the pictorial representations were presented through computer systems. The participants' choice responses relied on microswitches connected to the computer systems. The data of Study I fully supported previous findings with the same procedural approach. The participant learned to choose preferred stimuli and bypass nonpreferred ones. The data of Study II showed that the participant learned to concentrate his choice. responses on a few stimuli, suggesting that these stimuli were actually preferred and that responding was purposeful. Implications of the results were discussed.


Subject(s)
Choice Behavior , Communication Aids for Disabled , Disabled Children/psychology , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Microcomputers , Social Environment , Acoustic Stimulation , Adolescent , Attention , Blindness/psychology , Blindness/rehabilitation , Cerebral Palsy/psychology , Cerebral Palsy/rehabilitation , Comorbidity , Cues , Disabled Children/rehabilitation , Education of Intellectually Disabled , Humans , Intellectual Disability/etiology , Intellectual Disability/rehabilitation , Male , Pattern Recognition, Visual , Psychomotor Performance , Speech Recognition Software , Therapy, Computer-Assisted
14.
Percept Mot Skills ; 105(1): 47-54, 2007 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17918548

ABSTRACT

Persons with severe spastic tetraparesis and minimal motor behavior may be confined to a wheelchair or bed and have virtually no chances of constructive engagement with their immediate environment. A possible way to modify this situation may involve the use of technology. The present study (a) assessed specific technology to enable a young adult to manage his leisure television engagement independently and (b) carried out a social validation assessment of the technology-supported performance involving 90 teacher trainees as raters. The intervention period with the new technology included 67 sessions, during which the participant performed independently 392 of the 408 television-management responses, i.e., turning on the television, finding a channel with a preferred program, setting the volume, and turning off the television. He also indicated preference for using the technology as opposed to not using it. The raters provided relatively high (positive) scores for the technology-supported performance compared to the baseline performance. Implications of the findings are discussed.


Subject(s)
Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Self-Help Devices/statistics & numerical data , Television/statistics & numerical data , Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Adolescent , Attitude , Humans , Leisure Activities , Male , Paralysis/rehabilitation , Personal Satisfaction , Psychomotor Performance/physiology , Rehabilitation/education , Self-Help Devices/psychology , Students, Health Occupations/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires
15.
Percept Mot Skills ; 105(1): 107-14, 2007 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17918553

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the possibility of replacing head and hand responses (no longer feasible) with minimal movements within the microswitch-based program of an adolescent with deteriorating motor condition and multiple disabilities. The new movements, i.e., eye- and mouth-opening, were introduced individually and then combined through the simultaneous availability of the related microswitches. Data showed the participant acquired the new movements (responses) successfully and retained them at a 2-mo. postintervention check. Mood improvements, i.e., increases in indices of happiness, also occurred through the program. The conclusion was that a person with deteriorating motor conditions may be able to revitalize a microswitch-based occupational program and retain a constructive engagement if new, feasible responses are identified.


Subject(s)
Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Eyelids/physiology , Hand/physiology , Head/physiology , Mouth/physiology , Movement/physiology , Self-Help Devices , Adolescent , Attitude to Health , Communication Aids for Disabled/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Motor Skills Disorders/rehabilitation , Occupational Therapy/instrumentation , Occupational Therapy/methods , Personal Satisfaction , Self-Help Devices/psychology , Self-Help Devices/statistics & numerical data
16.
Percept Mot Skills ; 104(3 Pt 1): 1027-34, 2007 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17688160

ABSTRACT

This study assessed small hand-closure movements as a potential response for microswitch activation with two participants with profound multiple disabilities of 5.2 and 20.6 yr. of age. The microswitch consisted of a two-membrane thin pad fixed to the palm of the hand and a control system. The outer membrane (the one facing the fingers) was a touch-sensitive layer; the inner membrane was activated if the participant applied a pressure of over 20 gm. The activation of either membrane triggered an electronic control system, which in turn activated one or more preferred stimuli for 6 sec. except in baseline phases. Each participant received an ABAB sequence, in which A represented baseline and B intervention phases, and a 1-mo. postintervention check. Analysis showed both participants increased their responding during the intervention phases and maintained that responding at the postintervention check. Implications of the findings are discussed.


Subject(s)
Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Electronics, Medical/instrumentation , Hand/physiology , Motor Skills Disorders/rehabilitation , Self-Help Devices/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Child, Preschool , Female , Hand Strength/physiology , Humans , Movement/physiology , Touch/physiology
17.
Percept Mot Skills ; 103(2): 354-62, 2006 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17165398

ABSTRACT

This study assessed microswitch and computer technology to enable two participants with multiple disabilities, 32 and 19 years of age, to choose among environmental stimuli and request their repetition whenever they so desired. Within each session, 18 stimuli (12 preferred and 6 nonpreferred) were available. For each stimulus, a computer system provided a sample of 3 sec. duration. During the intervention, participants' vocal responding in relation to a stimulus sample activated a microswitch and a computer system turned on that stimulus for 15-30 sec. When participants did not vocally respond, the computer system paused briefly and then presented the next scheduled stimulus sample. When participants vocally responded at the end of a stimulus presentation, the stimulus was repeated. Intervention data showed that the participants learned to choose preferred stimuli and bypass nonpreferred ones as well as to request repetitions of the preferred stimuli. This performance was maintained at a 1-mo. postintervention check and transferred to sets of stimuli not used in the intervention. The implications of these results were discussed.


Subject(s)
Choice Behavior , Communication Aids for Disabled , Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Microcomputers , Persons with Mental Disabilities/rehabilitation , Social Environment , Speech Recognition Software , Adult , Affect , Association Learning , Disabled Persons/psychology , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Motivation , Persons with Mental Disabilities/psychology , Transfer, Psychology
18.
Percept Mot Skills ; 103(1): 83-8, 2006 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17037647

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the extent to which two microswitches used as interfaces would enable a man with multiple disabilities and limited motor behavior to operate an electric door opener at the entrance of the day center that he attended. Analysis showed the man (a) learned to use the two microswitches, (b) preferred the microswitch placed at his wheelchair's footrest (which also allowed more effective responding) over the microswitch placed at his wheelchair's armrest, and (c) maintained his positive performance at the 1- and 2-mo. postintervention checks. The results were discussed from a technical and practical standpoint and in terms of implications for the quality of life of persons with disabilities.


Subject(s)
Disabled Persons , Intellectual Disability/complications , Movement Disorders/complications , Self-Help Devices , Adult , Disability Evaluation , Humans , Male , Wheelchairs
19.
Percept Mot Skills ; 103(1): 223-8, 2006 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17037664

ABSTRACT

This study assessed a writing program with word prediction, which completed the writing of a word and spoke it out only when there was certainty that such a word was the correct one. The assessment was carried out with a young man with multiple disabilities, who typically used a word-processing program without word prediction. The two programs were compared on the time required by the participant for writing general sentences, through a social validation assessment, and eventually a check on the participant's preference. Analysis showed the program with word prediction was significantly more effective in terms of the writing time, which was halved, and was deemed preferable by 40 raters (psychology students) involved in the social validation assessment and by the participant himself. Implications of the findings are discussed.


Subject(s)
Disabled Persons , Psychomotor Performance , Speech Perception , Verbal Behavior , Vocabulary , Adult , Communication Aids for Disabled , Humans , Male , Software
20.
J Intellect Disabil Res ; 50(Pt 10): 739-47, 2006 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16961703

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stimulation and microswitch-based programmes are considered main strategies to promote indices of happiness in students with multiple disabilities. However, only limited attempts have been made to assess the relative effects of the two programmes. This study conducted such an assessment with seven students with multiple disabilities. METHODS: The first four phases of the study served to: (1) provide the students with a systematic exposure to each of the programmes; and (2) measure the programmes' effects on indices of happiness by comparing them with baseline levels. The fifth phase served to compare the programmes with each other. RESULTS: The first four phases of the study showed that the microswitch-based programme produced a significant increase in indices of happiness for all seven students, and the stimulation programme produced a significant increase for six students. During the fifth phase of the study (i.e. when the two programmes were alternated), the microswitch-based programme promoted significantly higher indices of happiness than the stimulation programme for four of the seven students. CONCLUSIONS: Microswitch-based programmes might be deemed preferable to stimulation programmes because they can promote higher or comparable indices of happiness while promoting the acquisition of adaptive responses and self-determination.


Subject(s)
Communication Aids for Disabled/statistics & numerical data , Disabled Children/psychology , Disabled Children/statistics & numerical data , Electronics/instrumentation , Electronics/statistics & numerical data , Happiness , Physical Stimulation/instrumentation , Child , Female , Humans , Male
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