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Eye-controlled augmentative and alternative communication system to improve communication quality between dysarthria patients and foreign caregivers in Taiwan
Published in Artde D.K.T. Lam, Stephen D. Prior, Siu-Tsen Shen, Sheng-Joue Young, Liang-Wen Ji, Smart Science, Design & Technology, 2019
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also referred to as motor neuron disease (MND), is a critical neurodegenerative disease. The postonset course of ALS is characterized by gradual difficulty in speaking and swallowing in patients. The disease also compromises limb movement. Eventually, the respiratory muscles are weakened, leading to breathing failure; thus, sustaining life is a difficult task (Murray, 2006). Because patients with ALS have complete mental and sensory functions, they suffer during the course of the disease. In Taiwan, the average annual incidence of ALS was 1.05 per 100,000, with the average age of onset being 52.5 years and the most common age of onset being between 65 and 69 years (Lai and Tseng, 2008). The average survival period after onset is 5.6 years (Lee, et al., 2013). Many studies have indicated that the quality of life of ALS patients is considerably affected by psychological factors (Felgoise, et al., 2016). Approximately 80% of patients with ALS progress to dysarthria, a speech disorder (Tomik and Guiloff, 2010). Most patients experience dysarthria and tetraplegia in the middle and late stages of the diseases. Patients who have lost oral communication ability might feel marginalized and ignored, leading to depression. In addition to experiencing communication problems in the normal course of the disease, many ALS patients receive tracheostomy procedures, which also cause difficulties in oral communication. Accordingly, ALS patients need caregivers’ help on all aspects of daily life. They require help in tasks such as drinking water, adjusting their postures, or ameliorating physical discomfort.
Role of Occupational Neurotoxicants in Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders
Published in Lucio G. Costa, Luigi Manzo, Occupatinal Neurotoxicology, 2020
Stefano M. Candura, Luigi Manzo, Lucio G. Costa
ALS is the major form of motor neuron disease (MND). This term, which also encompasses progressive bulbar palsy and spinal muscular atrophy, indicates a progressive affection of the CNS, characterized by a degeneration of spinal and/or bulbar motor neurons and corticospinal tracts. It usually develops in late adult life and affects males more often than females. MND has an invariably progressive and fatal course.
A novel EOG-based wireless rapid communication device for people with motor neuron diseases
Published in Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology, 2018
Ali Bulent Usakli, Serkan Gurkan, Guray Gurkan, Alper Kaya
As an example for MND, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. ALS is the most common MND and it affects both upper and lower motor neurons. In other words, it affects the brain and the spinal cord nerve cells. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body through different paths. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually causes to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. Even breathing, for example, cannot be possible without any supporting device. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralysed. ALS is usually fatal within 2–5 years of diagnosis. For the present, unfortunately, there is no known cure for ALS.
TeleBCI: remote user training, monitoring, and communication with an evoked-potential brain-computer interface
Published in Brain-Computer Interfaces, 2020
Andrew Geronimo, Zachary Simmons
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons. Only about 25–33% of patients have speech dysfunction at onset of symptoms, but it is estimated that 80–95% of individuals with ALS will be unable to effectively use natural speech at some point prior to death [1] a physical limitation associated with poorer quality of life (QoL) [2]. When speech becomes unintelligible, patients may choose to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), a set of procedures and processes for maximizing functional and effective communication [3] that have been shown to facilitate a positive change in QoL [4,5].