Consideration of comfortable postures by a person with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) indicatedby smiling and eye blinking

Abstract

This study examined whether a posture of comfort of a person with SMID (severe motor and intellectual disabilities) can be accurately evaluated. An evaluation method based on an ABAB research design was utilized for a single case. We alternately video recorded the person being spoken to and then watched the recording, calculating the average time and the blinking rate as an indicator of comfort. We subsequently compared a supine position on a bed with a seated position on a seating system. The seated position on the seating system resulted in shorter reactions times and lower blinking rates compared to the supine position on a bed. Thus, a posture of comfort can be evaluated with use of behavioral indicators, even for a person with SMID.