The Basic Attention programs are designed for individuals who have sustained severe brain injuries and are cognitively in the most elementary stages of their recovery.  The Basic Attention series includes programs, such as KEYBDACC (Keyboard Accuracy), SOSH (Search for the Odd Shape) and FASTREAD (Tachistoscopic Reading), which can be useful for treating patients who are just beginning to use the keyboard and mouse.

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Full Documentation:  1Basic Attention.pdf

-- REACT: Reaction Time Measure of Visual Field

          This program detects slowed response to visual stimuli in all quadrants of the computer display. Respond with mouse button. Accurate (machine-speed independent) response times mapped in a display patients can read easily. This procedure can be used to detect slowed response to visual stimuli-either on the right or left side or both sides, as well as the top, middle, and bottom. With eyes free to move, the procedure is a 'functional' visual field, more like everyday life than conventional visual field measurement which involves fixation. Immediate response time feedback is reinforced by the final results, which include a map of slowed responding in various parts of the visual field. This feedback, unlike any traditional visual field measurement procedure, offers the patient information which may improve their awareness (and ultimately insight) of their sensory loss. In this program, the patient simply presses the mouse or joystick button to "stop the runaway numbers" on the screen. The quicker the button is pressed, the better the score will be. The computer keeps track of where on the screen the stimuli (numbers) were and the reaction times. Settings can be adjusted so that there is a fixation point or, without one, the patient may look anywhere on the screen.

-- POUNCE: Single Discrete Responding

         The simplest form of response competency is the ability to make a simple consistent response.  This task brings the process of responding into an objective sphere. Responses can be anything a switch can measure - limited only by the ingenuity, resources and technical expertise of the therapist.  The response can be made on the left mouse button or any momentary contact switch that mimics the action of a mouse.  Particular attention should be paid to the positioning of the patient and the mounting of the switch. We would urge consultation with an Assistive Technology specialist / Rehabilitation Engineer and Occupational Therapist. POUNCE presents visual stimuli to which a single response is made. The visual portion of POUNCE is simple and centered on the screen. Look for and attempt to train:

1. rapid onset of response
2. prompt release and
3. no repeats.

-- SOSH: Search for the Odd Shape

          An 8 by 8 array of homogeneous shapes ("Martians") is searched for one different shape (a "sleeping" Martian). Search times are recorded from when the display appears to when the ultimately successful response was initiated.


          This program is designed to detect differences in attention and responsiveness on the two sides of the visual field. It is particularly designed to identify those persons who have a spatial hemi-imperception which affects their ability to scan both sides of a display efficiently and, used in conjunction with SEARCH, it differentiates this skill from shape examination and matching.


          The display contains an intermediate level of information compared to REACT (one stimulus in an otherwise empty display) and SEARCH (an 8 x 8 array of heterogeneous shapes). This variation in information density enables one to differentiate hemi-inattention and hemi-imperception. The patient searches an array of identical patterns (which can be interpreted as the heads of little space people) for the "odd" one (the one which appears to have closed its eyes). Using this analogy and the instruction "Find the one that fell asleep", SOSH becomes simple to understand. From trial to trial, the display stays the same; only the location of the target shape changes. Locations throughout the array are sampled and search times are reported and recorded for each. Median search times are computed for left side and right side targets, respectively.

-- KEYBDACC: Keyboard Accuracy

          Keyboard Accuracy addresses fine motor control for movements prompted sequence of random letters. Available sets range from the simple (Left side 'home' keys) to the more complex (All keys). Keyboard Accuracy is a program which is mostly used to evaluate elementary keyboarding skills and specific fine motor finger control through the selection of most typing programs which progress from the right hand keys (JKL:). You can begin with a small set of user-defined keys and progress to a larger set.
          However, it can be used for other purposes. For example, with some aphasics: turn off the CAPS LOCK (ordinarily left on during the program) and use lower case stimuli. Profoundly aphasic individuals can then practice learning the equivalency of the stimulus letter and upper case letters on the key caps. At one level, Keyboard Accuracy is a simple visual - visual (screen - keyboard) simultaneous Matching task. It can also be used as a simple very short term memory / keyboard learning task. Finally, Keyboard Accuracy can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of devices, training and techniques for keyboard access.

-- FASTREAD: Tachistoscopic Reading

          The computer flashes a word and asks that it be typed in. The task speeds up as long as one can keep up, and slows down after errors. Word lists come with the program; custom word lists can be created with a text editor. The program is included as a brief visual memory exercise, but it also is useful for persons with deficits in attention, foveal perception, and verbal apraxia (difficulty planning and articulating words). The task offers feedback for visual imperception, reinforces attention and alertness, and exercises the typing and production of words. A "copy" mode is also an option.