Enabling stroke victims to interact with a microcomputer - a comparison of input devices

Abstract

Five commonly available input devices were evaluated with respect to the facility with which aphasic stroke victims could use them to interact with a microcomputer. The tests by which they were assessed were content-free abstractions from the underlying physical structures of language stimulation exercises. The devices tested were the mouse, joystick, tracker ball, concept keyboard, and touch screen. Success rates, times, and subjective preference were all recorded. The tracker ball was found to be best on success rate and subjective preference.

Key Words:

• Input device
• Microcomputer
• Stroke