Improving the perspectives on quality of life for adolescents with cerebral palsy by medical textile

Abstract

The quality of life (QoL) can be defined as the individual’s perception of his own existence, both from the point of view of the physical integrity of the body’s structures and of functionality too, as well as of the activity, respectively the capability of performing tasks, and of the participation, regarded as the involvement in the life situations. From a medical perspective, the quality of life assessment is an indicator that provides important information, closely related to the improvement of the health status and the effectiveness of the therapeutic-rehabilitative interventions. The textile sector by research-development activities and by its numerous projects and accomplishments in the bio-materials, biotechnologies and medical device, showed a steady focus, in close relation to the medical field, on disabled persons’ quality of life and on the facilitation of their social and professional integration. The aim of rehabilitative interventions is to obtain the best possible physical and mental health, allowing each patient to build social relationships with family and community and, on the other hand, to acquire professional skills for being able to find a suitable job which will improve his wellbeing and quality of life. This paper presents how adolescents with cerebral palsy and their parents/caregivers perceive the quality of life of the adolescent taking into consideration the activity limitations and the participation restrictions. The results of the study showed the existence of discrepancies between adolescents’ and parents’ reports regarding the QoL, with adolescents’ reporting a higher QoL than did their parents. Optimism and positive thinking can be seen as augmentation factors of the therapeutic interventions’ effects by increasing the adolescent’s involvement in the rehabilitation process, having as direct benefit early and better results.