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Promoting foot–leg movements in children with multiple disabilities through the use of support devices and technology for regulating contingent stimulation

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Abstract

The present study assessed the possibility of promoting pre-ambulatory foot–leg movements in children with multiple disabilities by motivating their action through contingent stimulation combined with a support device. Two children aged 10 and 8 years participated. Microswitch technology (i.e., pressure sensors under the shoes or optic sensors at the front–inner side of the shoes) served for detecting the foot–leg movements and providing contingent stimulation on their occurrence. Sensor activation produced 5 s of stimulation during intervention. Data showed that both children had significant increases in foot–leg movements during the intervention phases. Implications of the data in terms of skill acquisition and further intervention prospects are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Via Quintino Sella 268, 70100, Bari, Italy

    Giulio E. Lancioni

  2. ONE Research Institute, Midlothian, USA

    Nirbhay N. Singh

  3. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA

    Mark F. O’Reilly

  4. University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

    Jeff Sigafoos

  5. Lega F. D’Oro Research Center, Osimo, Italy

    Doretta Oliva & Lorenza Scalini

  6. University of Bari, Bari, Italy

    Francesca Castagnaro

  7. University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Mauro Di Bari

Authors
  1. Giulio E. Lancioni
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  2. Nirbhay N. Singh
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  3. Mark F. O’Reilly
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  4. Jeff Sigafoos
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  5. Doretta Oliva
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  6. Lorenza Scalini
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  7. Francesca Castagnaro
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  8. Mauro Di Bari
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Correspondence to Giulio E. Lancioni.

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Lancioni, G.E., Singh, N.N., O’Reilly, M.F. et al. Promoting foot–leg movements in children with multiple disabilities through the use of support devices and technology for regulating contingent stimulation. Cogn Process 8, 279–283 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-007-0179-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-007-0179-6

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