Eye-Gaze Control Technology for Children, Adolescents and Adults With Cerebral Palsy With Significant Physical Disability: Findings From a Systematic Review
Developmental Neurorehabilitation
Karlsson, P., Allsop, A., et al. (2018).
Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 21(8), 497-505.
This systematic review investigates the effects of eye-gaze control technology on communication facilitation and other outcomes (e.g., play, learning, work, quality of life) in children, adolescents, and adults with complex communication needs.
Not stated
From database inception to June 2016
Case studies and single-case experimental design studies reporting objective data. Excludes qualitative research.
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<div>One study reported the following positive effects for the use of eye-gaze AAC technology in 10 children with cerebral palsy with significant motor impairment:</div>
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<ul>
<li>All children achieved at least one of their goals (i.e., 20 communication goals, 13 learning eye-gaze control use goals, 12 making choices goals, 7 interacting with others goals, and 6 completing school task goals).</li>
<li>Across all of the children, they achieved 55% of the stated goals by the end of the intervention and 60% of the goals by follow-up.</li>
<li>Both immediately following the intervention and at follow-up, 7/10 children increased the number of activities performed and time spent on activities per day as well as increased the number of days they used the eye-gaze control AAC.</li>
<li>Parents demonstrated improved satisfaction. </li>
</ul>
<div>Due to the limited, weak evidence, additional research on eye-gaze control technology is warranted.</div>
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<div>One study reported positive effects for the use of eye-gaze AAC technology in 20 adults with late-stage ALS. These individuals had no functional head/limb movement and were tracheostomized and ventilator-dependent. Findings included:</div>
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<ul>
<li>All of the adults became familiar with the device and computer within a few days and were able to use the device for communication.</li>
<li>Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in quality of life, significant decreases in depression, and significant decreases in caregiver load.</li>
</ul>
<div>Due to the limited, weak evidence, additional research on eye-gaze control technology is warranted.</div>
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