Contributions
Abstract: P1328
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: RIMS - Neuropsychology and fatigue management
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease with multiple symptoms. The motor symptoms can become disabling and severely restrict patients autonomy. New technologies can therefore become a window to the outside world. But this access can be hindered by the presence of motor/sensory disorders of the upper limbs making use of a mouse difficult. Different tools have been developed to overcome these difficulties, but that doesn"t solve the problem of how to use these devices, especially for patients with cognitive impairments. The aim of this study is to improve the quality of life of MS patients (with motor/sensory disorders of the upper limb with or without cognitive impairments) by the evaluation of the applicability of using an alternative pointing system based on the detection of head movements via webcam (eViacam) with theoretically based learning techniques. We applied a procedural learning technique on a “constant mode” (the learning modalities does not vary between sessions, resulting in less transferability to other activities but with a possible learning for people with major cognitive impairments). 17 patients were recruited and, after a neuropsychological evaluation, they had to perform a task on a computerized battery (Batterie d"Attention William-Lennox (BAWL)) and write a sentence using the alternative pointing system. Two learning conditions were proposed: “the tracking task” where patients had to move a pointer to squares on the screen (experimental condition: constant mode) or working on the software “paint”© without specific instructions (control condition) for 4 weeks (for each condition). The results showed that there was a significant learning effect on median reaction times (0.008) of the BAWL test and on the time needed to write a sentence (0.025) regardless of the learning condition. Then we used the Symbol Digit Modality Test to evaluate the degree of cognitive impairments. Non parametrical tests showed that there was a significant learning effect on median reaction times of the BAWL test for patients with cognitive impairments but only for those who were in the experimental condition. There was also significant effect on the time needed to write a sentence no matter the condition. However, note that it has been impossible for some patients with major cognitive impairments to use “paint”©. These results should encourage therapists to teach their patients to use these systems as adjunct to the use of conventional computer tools.
Disclosure: Nicolas Moyano : Supported by a grant from the King Baudoin Foundation and the Belgian MS League
Gaël Delrue : Supported by a grant from the King Baudoin Foundation and the Belgian MS League
Elodie Gester : Nothing to disclose
Daniel Guillaume : Nothing to disclose
Valérie Delvaux : Nothing to disclose
Pierre Maquet : Nothing to disclose
Abstract: P1328
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: RIMS - Neuropsychology and fatigue management
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease with multiple symptoms. The motor symptoms can become disabling and severely restrict patients autonomy. New technologies can therefore become a window to the outside world. But this access can be hindered by the presence of motor/sensory disorders of the upper limbs making use of a mouse difficult. Different tools have been developed to overcome these difficulties, but that doesn"t solve the problem of how to use these devices, especially for patients with cognitive impairments. The aim of this study is to improve the quality of life of MS patients (with motor/sensory disorders of the upper limb with or without cognitive impairments) by the evaluation of the applicability of using an alternative pointing system based on the detection of head movements via webcam (eViacam) with theoretically based learning techniques. We applied a procedural learning technique on a “constant mode” (the learning modalities does not vary between sessions, resulting in less transferability to other activities but with a possible learning for people with major cognitive impairments). 17 patients were recruited and, after a neuropsychological evaluation, they had to perform a task on a computerized battery (Batterie d"Attention William-Lennox (BAWL)) and write a sentence using the alternative pointing system. Two learning conditions were proposed: “the tracking task” where patients had to move a pointer to squares on the screen (experimental condition: constant mode) or working on the software “paint”© without specific instructions (control condition) for 4 weeks (for each condition). The results showed that there was a significant learning effect on median reaction times (0.008) of the BAWL test and on the time needed to write a sentence (0.025) regardless of the learning condition. Then we used the Symbol Digit Modality Test to evaluate the degree of cognitive impairments. Non parametrical tests showed that there was a significant learning effect on median reaction times of the BAWL test for patients with cognitive impairments but only for those who were in the experimental condition. There was also significant effect on the time needed to write a sentence no matter the condition. However, note that it has been impossible for some patients with major cognitive impairments to use “paint”©. These results should encourage therapists to teach their patients to use these systems as adjunct to the use of conventional computer tools.
Disclosure: Nicolas Moyano : Supported by a grant from the King Baudoin Foundation and the Belgian MS League
Gaël Delrue : Supported by a grant from the King Baudoin Foundation and the Belgian MS League
Elodie Gester : Nothing to disclose
Daniel Guillaume : Nothing to disclose
Valérie Delvaux : Nothing to disclose
Pierre Maquet : Nothing to disclose