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Wheelchair-Bound Persons with Multiple Disabilities Learning to Use Simple Foot–Leg Responses Within a Microswitch-Based Program

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Abstract

Two wheelchair-bound adults with multiple disabilities were taught to use simple foot-leg responses to control environmental stimulation within a microswitch-based program.During the program, recording was also made of their mood (indices of happiness) and interviews were conducted with 10 health professionals on the possible benefits of the foot-leg responses.Data showed that both participants learned to use the foot-leg responses andmaintained them at high frequencies during the course of the study lasting about 3 months.They also had a substantial increase in their indices of happiness.Interview data indicated that the foot-leg responses were considered benefi-cial in terms of body awareness and muscular trophism. Implications of the findings are discussed.

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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. Wheelchair-Bound Persons with Multiple Disabilities Learning to Use Simple Foot–Leg Responses Within a Microswitch-Based Program. J Dev Phys Disabil 17, 327–336 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-005-6615-6

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