Case report of a computer-assisted psychotherapy of a patient with ALS

This case describes a psychotherapy intervention in a patient in advanced stages of ALS. The inability for verbal communication at these stages necessitated the inclusion of a computational system to favor augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to provide psychological care. The association of this device and software with ongoing psychotherapy acted in a synergistic manner. AAC devices made it possible to maintain patient-therapist communication and provided material support for psychotherapy despite severe speech limitations. This bimodal protocol of intervention resulted in better symptom control, improved communication with the team and family, reduction of psychological distress, promotion of autonomy, dignity, and self-esteem. The novelty of this communication is to report how the regular psychological care could be adapted to the patient circumstances using a computer device. Clinical trials will be required to evaluate the effectiveness of this mode of psychotherapy for the general population of ALS patients.