Publications (13)31.41 Total impact
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Article: Technology-aided leisure and communication opportunities for two post-coma persons emerged from a minimally conscious state and affected by multiple disabilities.
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ABSTRACT: This study assessed technology-aided programs for helping two post-coma persons, who had emerged from a minimally conscious state and were affected by multiple disabilities, to (a) engage with leisure stimuli and request caregiver's procedures, (b) send out and listen to text messages for communication with distant partners, and (c) combine leisure engagement and procedure requests with text messaging within the same sessions. The program for leisure engagement and procedure requests relied on the use of a portable computer with commercial software, and a microswitch for the participants' response. The program for text messaging communication involved the use of a portable computer, a GSM modem, a microswitch for the participants' response, and specifically developed software. Results indicated that the participants were successful at each of the three stages of the study, thus providing relevant evidence concerning performance achievements only minimally documented. The implications of the findings in terms of technology and practical opportunities for post-coma persons with multiple disabilities are discussed.Research in developmental disabilities 12/2012; 34(2):809-816. · 4.41 Impact Factor -
Article: Promoting adaptive behavior in persons with acquired brain injury, extensive motor and communication disabilities, and consciousness disorders.
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ABSTRACT: These two studies extended the evidence on the use of technology-based intervention packages to promote adaptive behavior in persons with acquired brain injury and multiple disabilities. Study I involved five participants in a minimally conscious state who were provided with intervention packages based on specific arrangements of optic, tilt, or pressure microswitches (linked to preferred environmental stimuli) and eyelid, toe and finger responses. Study II involved three participants who were emerging from a minimally conscious state and were provided with intervention packages based on computer presentations of stimulus options (i.e., preferred stimuli, functional caregiver's procedures, and non-preferred stimuli) and pressure microswitches to choose among them. Intervention data of Study I showed that the participants acquired relatively high levels of microswitch responding (thus engaging widely with preferred environmental stimuli) and kept that responding consistent except for one case. Intervention data of Study II showed that the participants were active in choosing among preferred stimuli and positive caregivers' procedures, but generally abstained from non-preferred stimuli. The results were discussed in terms of the successful use of fairly new/infrequent microswitch-response arrangements (Study I) and the profitable inclusion of functional caregiver's procedures among the options available to choice (Study II).Research in developmental disabilities 06/2012; 33(6):1964-74. · 4.41 Impact Factor -
Article: Enabling Persons with Acquired Brain Injury and Multiple Disabilities to Choose among Environmental Stimuli and Request their Repetition via a Technology-assisted Program
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ABSTRACT: This study replicated/extended a pilot investigation of a technology-assisted program to enable persons with acquired brain injury and neuro-motor and communication/consciousness impairments to choose among environmental stimuli and request their repetition whenever they so desired. The study included three adult participants. Within each session, 16 stimuli (12 preferred and 4 non-preferred) were planned for the participants. A computer system provided a reminder of each stimulus (i.e., a 4-s sample of the stimulus). During the intervention, participants’ responding (e.g., repeated eye blinking or prolonged eye closure) in relation to a reminder/sample activated a microswitch, which triggered the computer system to turn on the related stimulus for 20s. Participants’ lack of responding led the computer system to proceed to the next stimulus sample of the sequence. When participants responded immediately after (i.e., within 6s from) the end of a stimulus presentation, that stimulus was repeated. Intervention promoted response increases for all three participants. All of them asked for repetition of preferred stimuli and showed minimal responding in relation to non-preferred stimuli. Results were discussed in light of previous (pilot) data with the same program and in terms of their implications for rehabilitation initiatives. KeywordsMicroswitch–Computer technology–Acquired brain injury–Multiple disabilitiesJournal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities 04/2012; 23(3):173-182. · 0.89 Impact Factor -
Article: Post-coma persons emerged from a minimally conscious state and showing multiple disabilities learn to manage a radio-listening activity.
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ABSTRACT: This study assessed microswitch-based technology to enable three post-coma adults, who had emerged from a minimally conscious state but presented motor and communication disabilities, to operate a radio device. The material involved a modified radio device, a microprocessor-based electronic control unit, a personal microswitch, and an amplified MP3 player. The study was carried out according to a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants. During the intervention, all three participants learned to operate the radio device, changing stations and tuning on some of them longer amounts of time than on others (i.e., suggesting preferences among the topics covered by those stations). They also ended a number of sessions before the maximum length of time allowed for them had elapsed. The practical (rehabilitation) implications of the findings were discussed.Research in developmental disabilities 12/2011; 33(2):670-4. · 4.41 Impact Factor -
Article: Communication opportunities via special messaging technology for two post-coma persons with multiple disabilities.
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ABSTRACT: This study extended the assessment of a special messaging technology with two additional post-coma adults who had emerged from a minimally conscious state, but showed multiple disabilities including profound motor and communication impairments. For each participant, the study involved an ABAB design, in which the A represented baseline phases and the B represented intervention phases with the special messaging technology. The technology involved a net-book computer provided with specific software, a global system for mobile communication (GSM) modem, microswitches, and prerecorded verbal lists of persons' names and messages. Both participants learned to send out and receive (listen to) messages independently during the intervention, thus providing clear support for previous data in the area. They sent out means of about three and 17 messages and received means of about two and six messages per 20- and 30-min session, respectively. The positive impact of the technology was discussed in relation to previous data in this area and the possibility of helping post-coma persons with multiple disabilities engage in basic communication with distant partners.Research in developmental disabilities 03/2011; 32(5):1703-8. · 4.41 Impact Factor -
Article: Technology-assisted messaging opportunities for two persons emerged from a minimally conscious state and showing extensive motor disabilities.
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ABSTRACT: To extend the assessment of a special messaging technology with two adults emerged from a minimally conscious state and showing extensive motor disabilities as well as limited or no oral/verbal skills. The study involved a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across participants. Both participants started with baseline in which the technology was not available, and continued with intervention in which the technology was used. The technology involved a net-book computer provided with specific software, a global system for mobile communication (GSM) modem, microswitches, and pre-recorded lists of persons and messages. Both participants learned to send out and receive (listen to) messages independently during the intervention. They sent out a mean of three or three and a half messages and received a mean of one and a half messages per 20-minute session. Special messaging technology may help post-coma persons with multiple disabilities engage in basic communication with distant partners.Developmental neurorehabilitation 10/2010; 14(1):8-14. -
Article: Effect of botulinum toxin type A, motor imagery and motor observation on motor function of hemiparetic upper limb after stroke.
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ABSTRACT: In rehabilitation settings, motor imagery, motor observation and mirror therapy serve as techniques for the recovery of paretic upper limb in patients with movement disorders after stroke, whereas botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) offers the best treatment for focal spasticity. After haemorrhagic stroke, three patients (two men and one woman, mean age: 61.2 +/- 7.03) presented with hemiparesis of the left or right hand and arm with flexion of fingers, wrist and elbow, with no disturbance to sensitivity but with loss of use handoff the limb to write, eat or dress. After BTX-A injections, the patients underwent a daily rehabilitation programme based on motor imagery and motor observation for 1 month. Before and after the combined treatment, the motor function, spasticity and functional deficits of the patient were extensively measured. After a 3-month follow-up, upper limb spasticity measured with the Modified Ashworth Scale had worsened, yet the associated score remained lower than that at baseline. However, in these three patients a large improvement of motor function of the hemiparetic upper limb was observed. Combined treatment may be a viable rehabilitation option in post-stroke patients with disability to upper-extremity motor function, however further investigations are needed to determine its reproducibility in larger case series or clinical trials.Brain Injury 01/2010; 24(9):1108-12. · 1.36 Impact Factor -
Article: Possible role of alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries.
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ABSTRACT: Recent findings on the antioxidant effects of pretreatment with α-lipoic acid (α-LA) on the crush injury of rat sciatic nerve confirm the possible usefulness of α-LA administration in humans with peripheral nerve injuries. We discussed this issue in relation with our recent results in which the combined employment of α-LA and γ-linolenic acid with a rehabilitation program for six weeks reduced sensory symptoms and neuropathic pain in patients with compressive radiculopathy syndrome from disc-nerve root conflict in comparison with patients submitted to rehabilitation program alone for six weeks.Journal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury 01/2010; 5:15. -
Article: Acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds: a new technique for assessing dysphagia.
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ABSTRACT: To perform acoustic analysis of swallowing sounds, using a microphone and a notebook computer system, in healthy subjects and patients with dysphagia affected by neurological diseases, testing the positive/negative predictive value of a pathological pattern of swallowing sounds for penetration/aspiration. Diagnostic test study, prospective, not blinded, with the penetration/aspiration evaluated by fibreoptic endoscopy of swallowing as criterion standard. Data from a previously recorded database of normal swallowing sounds for 60 healthy subjects according to gender, age, and bolus consistency was compared with those of 15 patients with dysphagia from a university hospital referral centre who were affected by various neurological diseases. Mean duration of the swallowing sounds and post-swallowing apnoea were recorded. Penetration/aspiration was verified by fibreoptic endoscopy of swallowing in all patients with dysphagia. The mean duration of swallowing sounds for a liquid bolus of 10 ml water was significantly different between patients with dysphagia and healthy patients. We also described patterns of swallowing sounds and tested the negative/positive predictive values of post-swallowing apnoea for penetration/aspiration verified by fibreoptic endoscopy of swallowing (sensitivity 0.67 (95% confidence interval 0.24-0.94); specificity 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.56-1.00)). The proposed technique for recording and measuring swallowing sounds could be incorporated into the bedside evaluation, but it should not replace the use of more diagnostic and valuable measures.Journal of rehabilitation medicine: official journal of the UEMS European Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 08/2009; 41(8):639-45. · 1.88 Impact Factor -
Article: Persons with moderate Alzheimer's disease improve activities and mood via instruction technology.
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ABSTRACT: Three studies assessed the (a) effectiveness of verbal instructions presented via technology in helping persons with moderate Alzheimer's disease perform daily activities and (b) impact of activity engagement on mood. The 3 studies targeted coffee preparation with 2 women, use of make-up with 2 women, and use of make-up and tea preparation with 3 women. Intervention effects on activity performance were assessed through nonconcurrent multiple baseline designs across participants or multiple baseline designs across activities. The impact of activity on mood was assessed by recording indices of happiness during activity trials and parallel nonactivity periods. Verbal instructions presented via technology were effective in helping all participants perform the target activities. The participants also showed mood improvement (ie, increases in indices of happiness) during the activity. These results suggest that the approach reported may be a useful strategy for helping persons with Alzheimer's disease.American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease and Other Dementias 04/2009; 24(3):246-57. · 1.45 Impact Factor -
Article: Role of biphosphonates and lymphatic drainage type Leduc in the complex regional pain syndrome (shoulder-hand syndrome).
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ABSTRACT: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a clinical entity that has been termed in numerous ways in the last years. Clinically, CRPS describes an array of painful conditions that are characterized by a continuing (spontaneous and/or evoked) regional pain that is seemingly disproportionate in time or degree to the usual course of any known trauma or other lesion. The pain is regional and usually has a distal predominance of abnormal sensory, motor, sudomotor, vasomotor, and/or trophic findings. Case report. University Medical Center. Patients. In this report, we described the case of a 68-year-old hemiplegic female affected by cerebrovascular accident that presented a clinical case of CRPS shoulder-hand syndrome (CRPS-SHS) at the right hand after a hemorrhagic stroke. This report evaluated the effects of biphosphonates and lymphatic drainage type Leduc in CRPS-SHS. The pain level of the patients was measured with the visual analog scale. A scoring system for the clinical severity of CRPS-SHS, laboratory tests, and X-ray films were also performed. We reported in this patient a great improvement of pain and edema of the right hand, with a significant reduction of bone demineralization. This combined treatment may be a viable alternative for this syndrome; however, further investigation is needed to determine its reproducibility in large case series.Pain Medicine 02/2009; 10(1):179-85. · 2.35 Impact Factor -
Article: Botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of sialorrhea in Parkinson's disease.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 05/2008; 56(4):765-7. · 3.74 Impact Factor -
Article: High and low frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation inhibits nociceptive responses induced by CO2 laser stimulation in humans.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) on CO(2) laser evoked potentials (LEPs) in 16 normal subjects. The volar side of the forearm was stimulated by 10 Hz TENS in eight subjects and by 100 Hz TENS in the remainder; the skin of the forearm was stimulated by CO(2) laser and the LEPs were recorded in basal conditions and soon after and 15 min after TENS. Both low and high frequency TENS significantly reduced the subjective rating of heat stimuli and the LEPs amplitude, although high frequency TENS appeared more efficacious. TENS seemed to exert a mild inhibition of the perception and processing of pain induced by laser Adelta fibres activation; the implications of these effects in the clinical employment of TENS remain to be clarified.Neuroscience Letters 06/2003; 342(1-2):17-20. · 2.11 Impact Factor
Top co-authors
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Institutions
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2010–2012
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Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro
Bari, Apulia, Italy
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2009
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Università degli studi di Foggia
Foggia, Apulia, Italy
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