Computerised Augmentative Communication Devices for people with dysphasia: design and evaluation

Abstract

SRecent developments in low‐cost computer technology suggest that substantial improvements are possible in communication aids for dysphasic patients. This study describes a recently developed communication aid and reports a case study of one application. The software (EasySpeaker for Windows) provides an easily customised and flexible icon‐based communication aid, which does not require the ability to read text, but which automatically records in detail the use being made of the device. The aid was given to a dysphasic patient in his own home for 4 weeks. Regular activity sessions were held throughout the period and data obtained from these sessions to identify learning and improvement on the device. Although improvements were found in speed and accuracy of operation, the use made of the aid for real communication by this patient was limited. Several possible reasons are identified for this and, in particular, the importance of illustrating specifically how such a system can be of benefit is emphasised.Les développements récents de technologies à coûts modérés d'ordinateurs font penser que des progrès substantiels sont possibles dans le domaine des aides à la communication pour dysphasiques. Cette étude décrit une aide à la communication récemment mise au point et rend compte d'une étude de cas en tant qu'application. Le logiciel (Easyspeaker pour Windows) fournit une aide à la communication à base d'icônes et facile à adapter selon les besoins, qui, n'exige pas de pouvoir lire des textes et qui enregistre automatiquement en détail l'usage qu'on fait due système. L'aide a été fournie à un dysphasique pour qu'il s'en serve à domicile pendant quatre semaines. Le patient a suivi des séances d'activités pendent cette période, et des données ont été récoltées sur ces séances afin d'identifier la contribution du système à sib apprentissage et aux progrès accomplis. L'on a pu observer un certain progrès dans la vitesse et l'exactitude des opérations; cependant l'usage fait de cette aide par le patient aux fins de communication réelle est resté limité. Plusieurs raisons possibles de ces limites sont avancées. En particulier il est très important de bien montrer au patient la façon dont il peut tirer avantage d'un tel système.Neuere Entwicklungen in preiswerter Computertechnologie weiser darauf hin, daß erhebliche Besserungen in Kommunikationshilfer für dysphasische Patienten möglich sind. In dieser Studie wire eine vor kurzem entwickelte Kommunikationshilfe beschrieben und über eine Fallstudie bei ihrer Anwendung berichtet. Die Software (EasySpeaker for Windows) bietet eine flexible, personalisierbare ikonbasierte Kommunikationshilfe, die keine Textlesefähigkeiter voraussetzt, die aber automatisch und detailliert den Gebrauct des Systems registriert. Die Hilfe wurde einem Dysphasiker zum vierwöchigen Gebrauch zu Hause mitgegeben. Regelmäßige Aktivitätssitzungen wurden während dieser Zeit abgehalten, bei denen Daten zur Feststellung des Lernens bzw. der Besserung mit dem Programm erhoben wurden. Obwohl eine Besserung in der Benutzungsgeschwindigkeit und in der Genauigkeit der Benutzung beobachtet wurde, war bei diesem Patienten der Einsatz der Hilfe für richtige Kommunikation beschränkt. Es werden mehrere Gründe hierfür identifiziert; insbesondere wird hervorgehoben, wie wichtig es ist, spezifische Informationen darüber zu vermitteln, wie das System helfen kann.

Prediction of strategy usage by adults with aphasia

“…While many patients are able to acquire a targeted skill in a structured format, many patients do not successfully use the trained skill in more functional situations (Ballard & Tompson, 1999;Coelho, 1990; Purdy, Duffy & Coelho, 1994;Robson, Pring, Marshall, Morrison, & Chiat, 1998;Rostron, Ward & Plant, 1996; Yoshihata and colleagues, 1998). Purdy, Duffy, and Coelho (1994) performed a study examining use of symbols trained in verbal, gestural, and communication board modes.…”

The Field Evaluation of a Mobile Digital Image Communication Application Designed for People with Aphasia

“…The TalksBac [Waller et al 1998], EasySpeaker [Rostron et al 1996], and the combined LgLite and ESI Planner II [Boyd-Graber et al 2006] projects are notable exceptions. An evaluation that compared conversations with and without TalksBac after four participants had been using the device for 9 months showed that the system had the potential to augment the communication abilities of individuals with aphasia who do not already have their own alternative communication strategies [Waller et al 1998].…”

“…An evaluation that compared conversations with and without TalksBac after four participants had been using the device for 9 months showed that the system had the potential to augment the communication abilities of individuals with aphasia who do not already have their own alternative communication strategies [Waller et al 1998]. EasySpeaker was evaluated with a four-week field study with one participant that showed improvements in the use of EasySpeaker over the study, but only limited use of the system for communication [Rostron et al 1996]. Finally, the LgLite and ESI Planner II system was evaluated with a four-week field study with seven participants that showed that users were able to use the system, but also highlighted some specific aspects of the system that could be improved [Boyd-Graber et al 2006].…”

The design and field evaluation of PhotoTalk

“…The TalksBac [19], EasySpeaker [16], and the combined LgLite and ESI Planner II [4] projects are notable exceptions. An evaluation compared conversations with and without TalksBac after 4 participants had been using the device for 9 months [19], while both EasySpeaker and the LgLite and ESI Planner II system were evaluated with 4 week field studies [16,4].…”