Assessing the Effects of Stimulation Versus Microswitch-Based Programmes on Indices of Happiness of Students With Multiple Disabilities
By Lancioni, G.E.; Singh, N.N.; O'Reilly, M.F.; Oliva, D.; Smaldone, A.; Tota, A.; Martielli, G.; Stasolla, F.; Pontiggia, G.; Groeneweg, J.; Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, Vol. 50, No. 10, pp. 739-747Publication Date: October 2006
Study compared the effect of stimulation to that of microswitch-based programs to promote indices of happiness in students with multiple disabilities. Participants were 7 students (1 female) ranging in age from 7.9 to 20.7. All had cerebropathy, were rated in the profound intellectual disability range, and presented with extensive motor impairment and lack of speech. The first 4 phases of the study served to: (1) expose students to each of the programs; and (2) measure the programs’ effects on indices of happiness by comparing them with baseline levels. The 5th phase served to compare the programs with each other. Microswitches used, and linked to a battery-driven electronic control system, were pressure devices placed on or before the students. Preferred stimuli such as songs, instrumental music, massage devices and video clips were selected at study onset, using indices of happiness such as smiling and laughing. The first 4 phases of the study showed that the microswitch-based program produced a significant increase in indices of happiness for all 7 students, as did the stimulation program for 6 of them. During the 5th phase of the study, the microswitch-based program promoted significantly higher indices of happiness than the stimulation program for 4 of the students.
Published by: Blackwell Publishing, Incorporated (Website: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com)
Mencap (Web Site: http://www.mencap.org.uk )
International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (Web Site: http://www.iassid.org )
Link to text: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2788.2006.00839.x
