Morris Milner

Effects Of Seat‐Surface Inclination On Postural Stability And Function Of The Upper Extremities Of Children With Cerebral Palsy

This study investigated the effects of seat‐surface inclination on parameters of postural stability and functional use of the upper extremity. 10 non‐impaired children and 10 children with cerebral palsy, aged between four and 15 years, were studied. Seat‐suface inclinations of 0d̀, 5d̀ anteriorly and 5d̀ posteriorly were used as the experimental conditions. Significant differences were observed on most dependent measures between the two groups. The results suggest that anteriorly tilting the seats of children with cerebral palsy may disturb postural stability, without improving performance of the upper extremity.

Development of a multidisciplinary feeding profile for children who are dependent feeders

The multidisciplinary feeding profile (MFP) is the first statistically based protocol for the quantitative assessment of feeding disorders in severely disabled children. This assessment can be completed in 30–45 min with foods and facilities that are available in homes, hospitals, and chronic care units. This paper describes the state of current testing methods, the parameters of successful feeding activity, the development of the test protocol, and the results of statistical analyses.

BIOFEEDBACK TECHNIQUES AND BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION IN THE CONSERVATIVE REMEDIATION OF DROOLING BY CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

In an attempt to decrease the rates of drooling of 12 children with cerebral palsy, the authors investigated the effectiveness of EMG auditory feedback training of the orbicularis oris, of making the act of swallowing a conscious one, and of providing an auditory signal to cue swallowing by means of an Accularm interval timer. After biofeedback training there was a significant decrease in drooling rates and a small increase in swallowing rates. After the Accularm was used the children maintained the decreased drooling rates and there was a further small improvement in swallowing rates. One month after treatment stopped there was a nonsignificant regression in the rates of both drooling and swallowing. The marked decrease in drooling after biofeedback training must be attributed to more effective swallowing as a result of improved oral motor control, rather than to increased rates of swallowing.

An overview of human-computer interaction techniques for people with physical disabilities

Abstract Access to computer technology is of vital importance to people with disabilities. This paper reviews a broad range of state-of-the-art solutions to the problem of human-computer interaction for users with physical impairments. Within the context of an ideal access system, it describes the modification and replacement of standard input devices such as the keyboard and mouse, and the provision of alternative input techniques using switches. It is recognized that physically disabling conditions have many broad effects on access to information technology that are not solved by physical adaptations alone. However, this paper is limited to such adaptations.

VENTILATION AND SWALLOWING INTERACTIONS OF NORMAL CHILDREN AND CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

The respiratory inductance plethysmograph was used to analyse the ventilatory cycle during drinking, chewing and swallowing of normal and cerebral‐palsied children aged between five and 12 years. 33 children were divided equally into three groups: normal, spastic CP and athetoid CP. A few of the children with spastic CP and over half of those with athetoid CP were unable to perform the ‘big breath’ task. In the remaining trials, the children with CP held their breath for a shorter time than normal children. Many children with CP required multiple swallows to consume 5mL of liquid. In the majority of trials, normal children swallowed liquids at or near the peak of inspiration, whereas the children with CP did not. Supplementary swallows and solid‐bolus swallows occurred at any point in the ventilatory cycle in all groups. The children with CP had a greater need to inspire at the end of liquid tasks, especially during the 75mL task.

The multidisciplinary feeding profile: A statistically based protocol for assessment of dependent feeders

The development of the multidisciplinary feeding profile entailed a level of statistical analyses not commonly utilized in test development. This paper describes the statistical analyses and offers an explanation of why specific statistical tests were chosen. It also serves to identify where clinical knowledge and experience overrode specific statistical tests.

Instrumentation and a Protocol for Quantification of Upper-Limb Movement of Children With and Without Cerebral Palsy in Two Sitting Positions

From the ’Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Toronto, 256 McCaul St., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1W5, and ’Rehabilitation Engineering Department, Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation Centre, 350 Rumsey Road&dquo; Toronto, Ontario, M4G 1 R8. The object of this paper is to present a preliminary report on an attempt to quantitatively analyze the effects of altered sitting positions on characteristics of an upperextremity reaching movement seen in children. A pilot study was conducted at the Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation Centre, where the short-term effects of a horizon-

The Potential of Technological Innovations for the Disabled

Technical innovations have enormous potential for enhancing the lives of people with disabilities, often providing means for substantial independence and contributing to their dignity. This paper uses a framework related to the personal needs of individuals throughout the hours of waking and rest. Examples of various potentialities are provided and discussed.

Steps toward output device-independent feedback: evaluation of a standardised vocabulary

Computers have become an important tool for participating in society for many people with disabilities. Recent efforts in rehabilitation engineering have focused on input techniques for the human-computer interface and on improving the visual presentation of information. However, as these visual presentations become more sophisticated, currently exemplified by Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs), access for people with visual or cognitive impairments often becomes more difncult. A model of feedback that is relatively independent of sensory modalities (i.e., visual, auditory and tactile) has been proposed by Fels, Shein, Chignell and Milner (1992) as a basis for designing user interfaces for people with a wide range of sensory abilities. One key component identified in this model is a standardised feedback vocabulary that describes screen elements. A study was conducted to determine whether target users could use the elements of this language to identify the elements within existing screens. Results indicate ...