Influence of the number of predicted words on text input speed in participants with cervical spinal cord injury

Publication date: Available online 23 October 2015
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Samuel Pouplin, Nicolas Roche, Isabelle Vaugier, Antoine Jacob, Marjorie Figere, Sandra Pottier, Jean-Yves Antoine, Djamel Bensmail
ObjectiveTo determine if the number of words displayed in the Word Prediction Software (WPS) list affects Text Input Speed (TIS) in people with cervical Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and if any influence is dependent on the level of the lesion.DesignA cross-sectional trial.SettingA rehabilitation center in France.ParticipantsNinety persons with cervical SCI fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 45 of whom agreed to participate. Lesion level was high (C4 and C5 Asia A or B) for 15 participants (high lesion group) and was between C6 and C8 Asia A or B for 30 participants (low lesion group).MethodsTIS was evaluated during 4. 10-minute copying tasks:-without WPS (Without)-with a display of 3 predicted words (3Words)-with a display of 6 predicted words (6Words)-with a display of 8 predicted (8Words)Outcome MeasuresDuring the 4 copying tasks, TIS was measured objectively (characters per minute, number of errors) and subjectively through subject report (fatigue, perception of speed, cognitive load, satisfaction)ResultsFor participants with low cervical SCI, text input speed without WPS was faster than with WPS, regardless of the number of words displayed (p<0.001). For participants with high cervical SCI, the use of WPS did not influence TIS (p=0.99). There was no influence of the number of words displayed in a word prediction list on TIS, however perception of TIS differed according to lesion level.ConclusionFor persons with low cervical SCI, a small number of words should be displayed, or WPS should not be used at all. For persons with high cervical SCI, a larger number of words displayed increases the comfort of use of WPS.



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