Evaluation of a non-invasive vocal cord vibration switch as an alternative access pathway for an individual with hypotonic cerebral palsy - a case study

Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology
Julie ChanTom Chau

Abstract

A novel non-invasive vocal cord vibration switch for computer access was designed for an individual with hypotonic cerebral palsy. An evaluative case study was performed to compare the new device to an existing commercially available voice-activated switch in terms of sensitivity, specificity, speed, and user fatigue. The participant wrote pangram sentences with the two switches over 4 days with two sessions each day (morning and afternoon). The order of the switches was alternated and a new sentence was used each day. The user's perceived level of exertion was noted before and after each task and activation errors were logged for performance analysis. After using the device for 2 months, a qualitative survey was administered with the participant and his educational assistant. The vocal cord vibration switch outperformed the voice-activated switch in terms of sensitivity (p < 10(-4), t-test), speed (p < 10(-3)), and user-perceived exertion (p < 10(-4)). Qualitatively, both the participant and his educational assistant were more satisfied with the proposed switch relative to his existing solution. The results of this study show that the vocal cord vibration switch provides a promising new alternative for individuals with severe ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 3, 2012·Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability·Giulio E LancioniRussell Lang
Nov 15, 2011·Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology·Tiago H FalkTom Chau
Jun 24, 2010·Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology·Negar MemarianTom Chau
Jan 4, 2013·Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·Tom ChauMilos R Popovic
Jul 15, 2015·Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology·Leslie Mumford, Tom Chau
Feb 25, 2011·Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology·Melissa LuiTom Chau
Aug 29, 2017·Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology·Heidi Horstmann Koester, Sajay Arthanat
Sep 4, 2020·Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology·Samantha NoyekNora Fayed
Apr 4, 2017·Assistive Technology : the Official Journal of RESNA·Heidi Horstmann Koester, Sajay Arthanat
Sep 19, 2019·Journal of Healthcare Engineering·Cagdas Esiyok, Sahin Albayrak

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