Technology-based programs to promote walking fluency or improve foot-ground contact during walking: Two case studies of adults with multiple disabilities

• Published in: Research in developmental disabilities Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 111 - 118
• Main Authors: Lancioni, Giulio E., Singh, Nirbhay N., O’Reilly, Mark F., Sigafoos, Jeff, La Martire, Maria L., Oliva, Doretta, Groeneweg, Jop
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Biological and medical sciences; Blindness - complications; Blindness - rehabilitation; Case Studies; Developmental Disabilities - complications; Developmental Disabilities - physiopathology; Developmental Disabilities - rehabilitation; Female; Fluency; Foot - physiology; Gait - physiology; Gait Disorders, Neurologic - complications; Gait Disorders, Neurologic - physiopathology; Gait Disorders, Neurologic - rehabilitation; Humans; Indices of happiness; Male; Medical sciences; Multiple Disabilities; Multiply disabled people; Paresis - complications; Paresis - physiopathology; Paresis - rehabilitation; Physical Activities; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychomotor Skills; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Reeducation. Readaptation. Sociotherapy; Rehabilitation; Self-Help Devices; Stimulation; Technology; Toe walking; Treatments; Walking; Walking - physiology; Walking fluency; Indices of happiness; Toe walking; Technology; Walking fluency; Multiple disabilities; Human; Affect affectivity; Multiple handicap; Fluence; Treatment efficiency; Emotion emotionality; Developmental disorder; Case study; Locomotion; Walking; Treatment; Reeducation; Young adult; Therapeutic schedule; Motricity; Psychological well-being; Computer aid
• ISSN: 0891-4222; 1873-3379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2011.08.029

► A technology-based program was used to promote walking fluency with a man with multiple disabilities. ► A technology-based program was used to reduce toe walking by a woman with multiple disabilities. ► The man and the woman benefited from the programs and showed improved walking performances.
These two case studies assessed technology-based programs for promoting walking fluency and improving foot-ground contact during walking with a man and a woman with multiple disabilities, respectively. The man showed breaks during walking and the woman presented with toe walking. The technology used in the studies included a microprocessor with specific software, an MP3 with the recordings of preferred stimulus items, and optic sensors. Both studies were carried out according to an ABAB design. In Study I, the optic sensors were activated when the man crossed small marks distributed along the travel routes. At each sensor's activation, the man received a brief period of preferred stimulation. In Study II, the woman received preferred stimulation when the sensors at the toe and the heel of her shoes were activated in close time proximity. The man walked virtually without breaks and improved his mood (with an increase in indices of happiness) during the intervention phases of the study. The woman largely increased her percentages of steps with adequate foot-ground contact, which reached a mean of about 80 during the second intervention phase. The results were discussed in terms of rehabilitation implications and technology demands.