Technology-assisted programmes to promote leisure engagement in persons with acquired brain injury and profound multiple disabilities: two case studies

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate technology-assisted programmes for enabling a woman and a man with brain injury and profound multiple disabilities to acquire leisure engagement.

Method. The technology for the woman (Study I) involved a portable computer with mouse, a Clicker 4 software package, a touch/pressure microswitch, and an interface to connect the Clicker with the microswitch. This technology allowed the woman to choose with a simple hand response among four stimulus categories (e.g., watching a film and interacting with others), each of which included several alternatives. The technology for the man (Study II) involved a computer-based choice system that allowed him to select preferred songs through a microswitch-aided finger-movement response.

Results. Data showed that the two participants learned to use the technology available and selected among the stimulus events thus reaching positive leisure engagement.

Conclusion. Technology-assisted programmes may provide persons with acquired brain injury and multiple disabilities leisure engagement opportunities.

Keywords:

• Technology
• motor disabilities
• multiple disabilities
• leisure
• choice

Declaration of interest:

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.