What is a head, chin or eye control?

Operating a power wheelchair using a hand control (“joystick”) or a communication system (keyboard or manual switches) can be limited by progressive motor deficits in the hands and arms. In this constellation, the use of alternative forms of control is necessary and possible.

The selection of control options is based on the available motor functions. For example, a wheelchair can be controlled with the chin (using buttons attached near the chin). If special control by chin movements is not sufficiently accessible, control by head movements (touching microswitches by tilting or turning or tilting the head) is also available. Another possibility is to operate communication systems (including “regular” computers or Internet applications) via eye control. Eye control is a form of communication aid in which the position of the eye is detected by the communication system (usually by an infrared sensor) and translated into the movement of a pointer (“cursor”) on the screen.

From the patient’s perspective, this makes it possible to create texts or use computers (including the Internet), even if no other voluntary motor skills are present. The patient looks at the desired letter on the screen. The desired action on the screen is triggered by keeping the gaze on this symbol (or by closing the eyes or other previously programmed criteria). With eye control, significant progress has been made in preserving the ability of people with a severe loss of voluntary motor skills to communicate.

The decision on a suitable special control (child, head or eye control) is made in close consultation between the patient and their relatives as well as the ALS outpatient clinic and the specialized medical supply store (supplier of communication systems).