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Updated: May 4, 2026
Eye-Tracking Control to Assess Cognitive Functions in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: October 13, 2016
The eye-tracking computer device for communication in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
R Spataro1, M Ciriacono, C Manno
1ALS Clinical Research Centre, Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences (BioNeC), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Objective:
To explore the effectiveness of communication and the variables affecting the eye-tracking computer system (ETCS) utilization in patients with late-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Methods:
We performed a telephone survey on 30 patients with advanced non-demented ALS that were provisioned an ECTS device. Median age at interview was 55 years (IQR = 48-62), with a relatively high education (13 years, IQR = 8-13). A one-off interview was made and answers were later provided with the help of the caregiver. The interview included items about demographic and clinical variables affecting the daily ETCS utilization.
Results:
The median time of ETCS device possession was 15 months (IQR = 9-20). The actual daily utilization was 300 min (IQR = 100-720), mainly for the communication with relatives/caregiver, internet surfing, e-mailing, and social networking. 23.3% of patients with ALS (n = 7) had a low daily ETCS utilization; most reported causes were eye-gaze tiredness and oculomotor dysfunction.
Conclusions:
Eye-tracking computer system is a valuable device for AAC in patients with ALS, and it can be operated with a good performance. The development of oculomotor impairment may limit its functional use.
