Table 2.
Characteristics of survey respondents (N=79).
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Survey (N=79) | MND NSW Members (N=447) | |||
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n | % | n | % |
| Gender (n=79) |
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Male | 41 | 52 | 257 | 57.5 |
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Female | 38 | 48 | 190 | 42.5 |
| Location (n=68) a |
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Metropolitan | 37 | 55 | 256 | 57.3 |
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Regional | 8 | 12 | 70 | 15.7 |
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Rural | 20 | 29 | 93 | 20.8 |
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Interstate | 3 | 5 | 28 | 6.2 |
| Age (n=70) a |
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<40 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 3.8 |
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40-49 | 5 | 7 | 39 | 8.7 |
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50-59 | 18 | 26 | 77 | 17.3 |
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60-69 | 21 | 30 | 137 | 30.6 |
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≥70 | 24 | 34 | 177 | 39.6 |
| Length of MND diagnosis |
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<6 months | 3 | 4 | 55 | 12.2 |
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6-12 months | 12 | 17 | 52 | 11.6 |
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1-3 years | 23 | 33 | 152 | 34.2 |
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3-5 years | 15 | 22 | 66 | 14.5 |
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>5 years | 16 | 24 | 122 | 27.5 |
| Needing help or equipment with communication tasks |
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Speaking (n=66)a | 32 | 21 |
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Handwriting (n=61)a | 28 | 17 |
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Typing/keyboard (n=58)a | 27 | 16 |
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| Technology being used (n=61) a,b |
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Desktop or fixed computer | 32 | 52 |
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Laptop or notebook computer | 33 | 54 |
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Tablet (eg, iPad) | 26 | 43 |
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Mobile phone | 49 | 80 |
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TTY phone | 2 | 3 |
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Light writer | 6 | 10 |
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Message mate | 1 | 2 |
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| Assistive technology being used (n=14) a,b |
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Webcam | 10 | 71 |
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Laser head pointer | 3 | 21 |
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Hands free computer mouse | 3 | 21 |
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Switch adaptation | 2 | 14 |
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Trackball computer mouse | 1 | 7 |
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Eye gaze | 1 | 7 |
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Specialized mounting | 1 | 7 |
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| Sources of advice about technology (n=64) a,b |
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Family | 44 | 69 |
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Friends | 29 | 45 |
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Internet | 27 | 42 |
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MND Association | 20 | 31 |
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Speech therapist | 18 | 28 |
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Occupational therapist | 9 | 14 |
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GP | 6 | 9 |
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aSome respondents did not answer all the survey items
bRespondents could select more than one response