A technology-aided program to support leisure engagement and communication by a man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Objective: To assess a technology-aided programme for promoting leisure engagement and communication in a man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Method: The programme involved a laptop computer equipped with a Clicker 5 software package, an optic microswitch and an interface device. The participant could choose between two leisure options (i.e. songs and videos), could write requests and general messages through a virtual keyboard and a microswitch and could have the written text read out to caregivers and staff.Results: The use of the programme increased the mean frequency of words written to about 15 per 20-minute session during the second intervention phase. Those words were used by the participant for formulating a mean of over two requests/messages per session. The participant also listened to songs and watched videos.Conclusion: A simple technology-aided programme may allow ALS patients to manage leisure engagement and communication.