Supervisors info:
Σταυρούλα Γεωργοπούλου, Καθηγήτρια, Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών
Ιωάννης Βασιλειάδης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Νεφέλη Δημητριάδη, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Αριστοτέλειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλονίκης
Summary:
This study refers to the application of an alternative communication system to patients with locked-in syndrome to restore the communication with their environment.
Locked-In Syndrome is a neurological disorder with complete paralysis of all controlled muscles except those that control eye movements. People with this syndrome are conscious but do not have the ability to produce movements (other than eye movement) or speak. Cognitive function is usually unaffected. Communication is possible through eye movements or blinking. It is caused by damage to the brainstem, which is a structure of the brain that connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls vital functions such as cardiopulmonary and hemodynamic. It is also responsible for functions such as body temperature, wakefulness and sleep cycles, digestion, sneezing, coughing, vomiting and swallowing. People with Locked-In Syndrome recognize their environment and maintain their sense of hearing and vision and also maintain sleep-wake cycles.
The purpose of the study is to achieve the communication between the patients and their environment through the voluntary blinking and through the use of appropriate software on the computer. The alternative communication system was developed entirely within the framework of the postgraduate program and records the voluntary blinking and then sends a keyboard or mouse command to the computer. Its operating principle is based on an infrared sensor that records the amount of infrared light reflected back to it. Light-colored surfaces (e.g. skin color) reflect more light than darker surfaces (eyelashes and eyebrows), so the output voltage when the sensor is on a light-colored surface will be much smaller than on a dark-colored one. By detecting this abrupt change in voltage, the system recognizes when the patient blinked. Then, through a microcontroller board and a Bluetooth wireless protocol, the system is enabled to communicate with the computer and mimic the function of a mouse, keyboard or switch and send the corresponding commands. The system is connected to special software that uses automatic scanning and in this way the patient is given the opportunity to write and speak through it as well as the possibility of complete control it.
Great emphasis was placed on the complete configuration of the system as the needs for personalization are imperative. So, depending on the capabilities, the patient can use two sensors (one for each eye) and send different commands depending on the eye that opens and closes, a sensor on the left or right eye as well as send commands to a mouse, keyboard or switch depending on the applications and programs it uses.
The results of the study show that these support technologies are able to help their users. The patients are able to use it with the help of an occupational therapist and follow the programs to restore their communication.
