Skip to main content
Log in

Use of Simple Exercise Tools by Students with Multiple Disabilities: Impact of Automatically Delivered Stimulation on Activity Level and Mood

  • Published:
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of automatically delivered stimulation on the activity level and mood (indices of happiness) of two students with multiple disabilities, during their use of a stationary bicycle and a stepper. The stimulation involved a pool of favorite stimulus events which were delivered automatically, through an electronic control system, while the students were active in using the aforementioned exercise tools. Data showed that stimulation had a positive impact on the overall level of activity and indices of happiness of both students. Practical implications and technical aspects of the intervention procedure are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Bennett, F., Eisenman, P., French, R., Henderson, H., and Schultz, B. (1989). The effect of a token economy on the exercise behavior of individuals with Down syndrome. Adapted Phys. Activity Q. 6: 230–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caouette, M., and Reid, G. (1985). Increasing the work output of severely retarded adults on a bicycle ergometer. Educ. Train. Ment. Retard. 20: 296–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caouette, M., and Reid, G. (1991). Influence of auditory stimulation on the physical work output of adults who are severely retarded. Educ. Train. Ment. Retard. 26: 43–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, M. R., and Schuster, J. W. (1993). Using microswitches to teach toy use. J. Dev. Phys. Disabil. 5: 349–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Favell, J. A., Realon, R. E., and Sutton, K. A. (1996). Measuring and increasing the happiness of people with profound mental retardation and physical handicaps. Behav. Interv. 11: 47–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, C. W., and Reid, D. H. (1996). Defining, validating, and increasing indices of happiness among people with profound multiple disabilities. J. App. Behav. Anal. 29: 67–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., Gigante, A., O'Reilly, M. F., Oliva, D., and Montironi, L. (2000). Indoor travel and simple tasks as physical exercise for people with profound multiple disabilities. Percept. Motor Skills 91: 211–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., and O'Reilly, M. F. (1998). A review of research on physical exercise with people with severe and profound developmental disabilities. Res. Dev. Disab. 19: 477–492.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., O'Reilly, M. F., Campodonico, F., and Mantini, M. (2001). Promoting performance fluency in a person with profound intellectual disability and blindness. Behav. Cogn. Psychother. 29: 373–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancioni, G. E., O'Reilly, M. F., Singh, N. N., Oliva, D., and Groeneweg, J. (2002). Impact of stimulation versus microswitch-based programs on indices of happiness of people with profound multiple disabilities. Res. Dev. Disabil. 23: 149–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miltenberger, R. (1997). Behavior Modification: Principles and Procedures, Brooks/Cole, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Brien, Y., Glenn, S., and Cunningham, C. (1994). Contingency awareness in infants and children with severe and profound learning disabilities. Int. J. Disabil. Dev. Educ. 41: 231–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, S., and Castellan, N. J. (1988). Nonparametric Statistics, 2nd edn., McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silverthorn, K. H., and Hornak, J. E. (1993). Beneficial effects of exercise on aerobic capacity and body composition in adults with Prader-Willi syndrome. Am. J. Men. Retard. 97: 654–658.

    Google Scholar 

  • Storey, K. (1996). Social validation issues in social skills assessment. Int. J. Disabil. Dev. Educ. 43: 167–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thibadeau, S., Blew, P., Reedy, P., and Luiselli, J. K. (1999). Access to white bread as an intervention for chronic ruminative vomiting. J. Behav. Ther. Exp. Psychiatry 30: 137–144.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giulio E. Lancioni.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lancioni, G.E., Singh, N.N., O'Reilly, M.F. et al. Use of Simple Exercise Tools by Students with Multiple Disabilities: Impact of Automatically Delivered Stimulation on Activity Level and Mood. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities 16, 171–178 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JODD.0000026614.37905.eb

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JODD.0000026614.37905.eb

Navigation