The single subject alternating treatment design
experiment reported here compared the effectiveness of
pencil-and-paper versus computerized communication treatment
for neurologically impaired adults. Five stroke patients
receiving outpatient speech/language treatment (ages 51-72)
served as subjects. One subject completed the experiment as
designed and clearly supported the hypothesis that a higher
number of correct responses would be produced using the
computer generated exercises than the pencil-and-paper
version.
Two subjects were unable to demonstrate improvement
using the experimental treatment program and the other two
subjects were unable to master keyboarding skills necessary
to use the computer effectively. However, four out of five
subjects preferred using the computer even though it did not
result in improved performance.
Details of specific subjects' performance, and benefits
and cautions regarding computer use are discussed. Results
suggest that adequate receptive language skills favor
effective computer use while impulsivity and visual spatial
deficits may be expected to interfere. Careful matching of
treatment task to the individual is important; if the task
is too easy or too difficult potential benefit of computer
use may be masked. The study also supports the finding that
computer use is a highly motivating treatment technique for
some patients and may be of benefit even if improved task
performance does not result.
Suggestions for further research include comparison of
computerized versus non-computerized treatment for a greater
variety of tasks, careful task analysis of currently
available software, examination of techniques for training
the mechanics of computer use, examination of specific
subject characteristics which correlate with successful use
of the computer, and determination of which aspect of
computer use, specific feedback or improved motivation, is
responsible for improved performance. / Graduation date: 1992
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/36583 |
| Date | 02 March 1992 |
| Creators | Krivak, Brenda M. |
| Contributors | Hildebrandt, Emery V. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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