Persons with multiple disabilities exercise a complex response scheme to counter incorrect head and shoulder positions via a microswitch-aided program

Abstract

Background This study aimed to assess a microswitch-aided program for helping 2 persons with multiple disabilities, who presented with head and shoulder posture problems, to exercise a combination of appropriate head and arm movements.

Method The program involved microswitches for monitoring participants' head and arm movements. A computer system recorded those movements and provided brief stimulation contingent on them during intervention. Three intervention phases took place, which focused on head movements, arm movements, and the combination of the 2 movements, respectively. Four weeks after the last intervention phase, a post-intervention check occurred.

Results Both participants increased the frequencies of (a) the head and the arm movements during the first 2 intervention phases, respectively, and (b) those movements combined during the third intervention phase. Positive performance was maintained at the post-intervention check.

Conclusions Microswitch-aided programs can support exercise of complex response schemes of persons with multiple disabilities.

Keywords:

• head movements
• arm movements
• microswitch-aided program
• response exercise
• multiple disabilities

Funding

No research funding was available that could impose restrictions on free access to or publication of the research data.

Conflicts of interest: None.