Camera-based microswitch technology for eyelid and mouth responses of persons with profound multiple disabilities: Two case studies

These two studies assessed camera-based microswitch technology for eyelid and mouth responses of two persons with profound multiple disabilities and minimal motor behavior. This technology, in contrast with the traditional optic microswitches used for those responses, did not require support frames on the participants' face but only small color marks. The person involved in Study I had previously used optic sensors fixed on an eyeglasses' frame for detecting his eyelid- and mouth-opening responses. However, a deterioration of his head posture was making the correct location/use of this frame progressively more difficult. The person involved in Study II had previously been selected for a program relying on eyelid-closure responses and an optic sensor. Such a program however appeared difficult to implement given his sideward lying position and dystonic head movements. The new technology could be satisfactorily applied with both participants using mouth and eyelid opening with the first participant and eyelid closures with the second participant. Both participants had large increases in responding during the intervention periods (i.e., when their responses were followed by preferred stimulation). The findings are discussed in relation to the role of the new technology in helping persons with multiple disabilities and minimal motor behavior.