This project will test the feasibility of developing a smart augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) system that is effective in delivering communication capabilities that automatically adapt to the users' physical abilities.
The diversity of the more than 1.3% of Americans who suffer from severe physical impairments (SPIs) preclude the use of common augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) solutions such as manual signs, gestures or interaction with a touchscreen for communication. This clinical trial will test the feasibility of developing a smart-AAC system designed using individually adaptive access methods and AAC interfaces to accommodate the unique manifestations of motor impairments specific to each user. The investigators will demonstrate the proof-of-concept that a single surface electromyographic (sEMG) and inertial measurement unit (IMU) hybrid sensor worn on the forehead can provide improvements in information transfer rate (ITR) and communication accuracy when integrated with an AAC interface that is optimized compared to a conventional (non-adaptable) interface for subjects with SPI.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Participant receives an AAC system comprising a single hybrid wearable sensor for head-mediated cursor control that is integrated with an adaptive and individualized keyboard to test communication performance.
Participant receives an AAC system comprising a single hybrid wearable sensor for head-mediated cursor control that is integrated with a generic QWERTY keyboard to test communication performance.
Altec Inc.
Natick, Massachusetts, United States
Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Institute for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering
Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Movement Time
Time needed to navigate a cursor to and select a target on a computer screen by control of head movement and facial muscle contractions for each AAC device, wherein lower movement times equate to better performance.
Time frame: 1 Day
Path-to-Target Movement Variability
Path smoothness relative to the optimal, straight path between targets on a computer screen by control of head movement and facial muscle contractions for each AAC device. Variability is estimated as a distance of pixels as estimated from a computer screen operating with a resolution of 1920 pixels x 1080 pixels, wherein smaller variability scores equate to better performance.
Time frame: 1 Day
Target Selection Accuracy
Percentage of accurate selections of targets on a computer screen by control of head movement and facial muscle contractions for each AAC device, wherein higher accuracy scores equate to better performance.
Time frame: 1 Day
Information Transfer Rate
Human motor performance relative to the speed and accuracy of cursor-to-target movements on a computer screen by control of head movement and facial muscle contractions for each AAC device, wherein higher information transfer rates equate to better performance.
Time frame: 1 Day
AAC Device Usability
Self-report of perceived AAC device usability as captured via a Likert scale anchored from 1 ("very difficult") to 7 ("very easy"), wherein higher usability scores equate to better performance.
Time frame: 1 Day
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