Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine  2012;36(2):268-272

doi:10.5535/arm.2012.36.2.268

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Training Using Eye Blink Switch for Locked-in Syndrome Patient.

Si Woon PARK 1 ; You lim YIM ; Sook hee YI ; Hyun young KIM ; Seung min JUNG

Affiliations

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Keywords

Augmentative and alternative communications systems; Communication aids for handicapped; Locked-in syndrom

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Locked-in Syndrome is a severe pontine stroke causing quadriplegia, lower cranial nerve paralysis, and mutism with preservation of only vertical gaze and upper eyelid movement in a conscious patient. We present a case of a Locked-in Syndrome patient who received communication training with augmentative and alternative communication equipment by using eye blinks. After 3 weeks of training, the patient was able to make an attempt to interact with other people, and associate a new word by Korean alphabet selection. Augmentative and alternative communication equipment which uses eye blinks might be considered to be beneficial in improving the communication skills of locked-in syndrome patients.