Samuel Pouplin1,2,3,4, Djamel Bensmail5,6,7,8, Isabelle Vaugier8, Axelle Gelineau5,6,7, Sandra Pottier8, Nicolas Roche7,8,9. 1. New Technologies Plate-Form, AP-HP, Raymond Poincaré Teaching Hospital, Garches, France. samuel.pouplin@aphp.fr. 2. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, AP-HP, Raymond Poincaré Teaching Hospital, Garches, France. samuel.pouplin@aphp.fr. 3. Inserm Unit 1179, Team 3: Technologies and Innovative Therapies Applied to Neuromuscular Diseases, University of Versailles, St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. samuel.pouplin@aphp.fr. 4. Clinical Innovations Centre 1429, AP-HP, Raymond Poincaré Teaching Hospital, Garches, France. samuel.pouplin@aphp.fr. 5. New Technologies Plate-Form, AP-HP, Raymond Poincaré Teaching Hospital, Garches, France. 6. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, AP-HP, Raymond Poincaré Teaching Hospital, Garches, France. 7. Inserm Unit 1179, Team 3: Technologies and Innovative Therapies Applied to Neuromuscular Diseases, University of Versailles, St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. 8. Clinical Innovations Centre 1429, AP-HP, Raymond Poincaré Teaching Hospital, Garches, France. 9. Physiology-Functional Testing Ward, AP-HP, Raymond Poincaré Teaching Hospital, Garches, France.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of two different word prediction software (WPS) training protocols on text input speed (TIS) in people with tetraplegia and to determine which was the most effective. SETTING: Rehabilitation department, Garches, France. METHODS:Participants with neurological levels between C6 and C8 were allocated to one of three different groups. The REHAB group underwent training with an occupational therapist. The SELF group carried out a standardised home self-training with a written training guide. The CONTROL group had no training. Participants were assessed at day 15 (D15) and day 30 (D30). The primary outcome was a copying task with and without WPS (WITH and WITHOUT). RESULTS:Forty-two participants (mean age ± SD of 39.8 ± 12) were included and 38 completed the study. At D30, the mean (95% confidence interval) difference in TIS between the CONTROL and SELF groups was 3.8 [-1.7 to 9.4] characters per minute (cpm) (p = 0.23), between the REHAB and SELF groups was 12.9 [7.4 to 18.4] cpm (p < 0.001), and between the REHAB and CONTROL groups was 9.1 [3.5 to 14.6] cpm (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that occupational therapist-supervised training improved TIS but word prediction software did not increase TIS. These results suggest that supervised training should be provided to all individuals who are prescribed with devices and systems to facilitate computer access in order to increase their TIS.
RCT Entities:
STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of two different word prediction software (WPS) training protocols on text input speed (TIS) in people with tetraplegia and to determine which was the most effective. SETTING: Rehabilitation department, Garches, France. METHODS:Participants with neurological levels between C6 and C8 were allocated to one of three different groups. The REHAB group underwent training with an occupational therapist. The SELF group carried out a standardised home self-training with a written training guide. The CONTROL group had no training. Participants were assessed at day 15 (D15) and day 30 (D30). The primary outcome was a copying task with and without WPS (WITH and WITHOUT). RESULTS: Forty-two participants (mean age ± SD of 39.8 ± 12) were included and 38 completed the study. At D30, the mean (95% confidence interval) difference in TIS between the CONTROL and SELF groups was 3.8 [-1.7 to 9.4] characters per minute (cpm) (p = 0.23), between the REHAB and SELF groups was 12.9 [7.4 to 18.4] cpm (p < 0.001), and between the REHAB and CONTROL groups was 9.1 [3.5 to 14.6] cpm (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that occupational therapist-supervised training improved TIS but word prediction software did not increase TIS. These results suggest that supervised training should be provided to all individuals who are prescribed with devices and systems to facilitate computer access in order to increase their TIS.
Authors: Meegan G Van Straaten; Beth A Cloud; Melissa M Morrow; Paula M Ludewig; Kristin D Zhao Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2014-06-02 Impact factor: 3.966