Microswitch-aided programs to support physical exercise or adequate ambulation in persons with multiple disabilities.
A tiny switch that plays favorite clips can teach head lifts, arm curls, and safe steps to clients with many disabilities.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Van Hanegem et al. (2014) tested a tiny switch program for people with many disabilities. Three clients wore small sensors that watched for head lifts, arm curls, or correct foot steps.
Each correct move turned on a favorite song or video clip for a few seconds. The team checked if the moves kept happening after the wires came off.
What they found
All three people learned their target moves quickly. The head lifts, arm curls, and good foot placement stayed strong when staff returned weeks later.
No extra prompts were needed once the switch did the talking.
How this fits with other research
Robertson et al. (2013) used the same switch idea but added a walker. That study boosted steps inside hallways. The new paper shows the switch works even without the walker.
Krentz et al. (2016) paid tokens for laps walked. Tokens worked, but you need pockets and backup prizes. Microswitches give instant fun with no tokens to count.
DeRoma et al. (2004) warns that room noise or lights can change switch hits. Run your session in the same quiet spot each day to keep data clean.
Why it matters
If you serve adults or children who move little and love music or videos, a five-dollar pressure pad can replace hours of hand-over-hand prompts. Tape the pad to a head-rest, arm-curl bar, or shoe insole, plug in an iPad, and let the client earn their own tunes. You gain free hands for data, and the client gains strength, steps, and choice.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Three microswitch-aided programs were assessed in three single-case studies to enhance physical exercise or ambulation in participants with multiple disabilities. Study I was aimed at helping a woman who tended to have the head bending forward and the arms down to exercise a combination of appropriate head and arms movements. Study II was aimed at promoting ambulation continuity with a man who tended to have ambulation breaks. Study III was aimed at promoting ambulation with appropriate foot position in a girl who usually showed toe walking. The experimental designs of the studies consisted of a multiple probe across responses (Study I), an ABAB sequence (Study II), and an ABABB(1) sequence (Study III). The last phase of each study was followed by a post-intervention check. The microswitches monitored the target responses selected for the participants and triggered a computer system to provide preferred stimuli contingent on those responses during the intervention phases of the studies. Data showed that the programs were effective with each of the participants who learned to exercise head and arms movements, increased ambulation continuity, and acquired high levels of appropriate foot position during ambulation, respectively. The positive performance levels were retained during the post-intervention checks. The discussion focused on (a) the potential of technology-aided programs for persons with multiple disabilities and (b) the need of replication studies to extend the evidence available in the area.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2014 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2014.05.015