Post-coma persons with extensive multiple disabilities use microswitch technology to access selected stimulus events or operate a radio device.
Post-coma adults can learn to hit a microswitch to run a radio or hear music, proving they can make choices.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Four adults woke from coma but could not move or speak.
Each got a small switch taped near the hand, cheek, or head.
A tiny press turned on music, lights, or a radio for 5–10 seconds.
Staff counted how often each person pressed during 10-minute trials.
What they found
All four adults quickly learned to hit the switch.
They pressed more each day to hear songs or run the radio.
The gains showed they could choose events on their own.
How this fits with other research
Tam et al. (2011) ran a similar study the same year.
They gave six adults two switches and saw the same fast gains.
Both papers prove microswitches work, but May added choice tests.
Gevarter et al. (2014) tried iPads with preschoolers with autism.
They found picture hotspots beat symbol buttons for some kids.
Different tech, same goal: give the user a voice.
Why it matters
If a person wakes up but cannot move, you can still give control.
Try a microswitch near any small body part that moves.
Let the press turn on a song, light, or radio.
Count the presses to show the team the person is choosing.
This tiny step can start communication and reduce passivity.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Tape a microswitch to the smallest moveable body part and let a press turn on a 10-second song—count the presses.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
The present two studies extended research evidence on the use of microswitch technology by post-coma persons with multiple disabilities. Specifically, Study I examined whether three adults with a diagnosis of minimally conscious state and multiple disabilities could use microswitches as tools to access brief, selected stimulus events. Study II assessed whether an adult, who had emerged from a minimally conscious state but was affected by multiple disabilities, could manage the use of a radio device via a microswitch-aided program. Results showed that the participants of Study I had a significant increase of microswitch responding during the intervention phases. The participant of Study II learned to change radio stations and seemed to spend different amounts of session time on the different stations available (suggesting preferences among the programs characterizing them). The importance of microswitch technology for assisting post-coma persons with multiple disabilities to positively engage with their environment was discussed.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2011 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2011.02.016