The ERICA eye gaze system versus manual letter board to aid communication in ALS/MND

Abstract

Communication is essential to providing individuals with effective health care, but degenerative neurological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neurone disease (ALS/MND) impair patients' physical ability to communicate to get their needs met. New technologies are giving people with motor disabilities alternative means of communicating with caregivers and health professionals. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether ERICA, a hands-free, eye-tracking communication device, is practical for use by people with ALS/MND. The ERICA eye gaze system was compared with a manual letter board and evaluated for speed and ease of use. Method: Six patients were asked to spell out a simple sentence with the assistance of a caregiver, first using a manual letter board, then using the ERICA eye gaze system. Results: Four out of the six patients communicated more quickly using the manual letter board but four out of the six patients rated the ERICA eye gaze system as less difficult to use. Conclusions: It is recommended that health professionals use both low-tech and high-tech solutions to address the loss of speech experienced by people with ALS/MND during disease progression.