How is the quality of life of patients with cerebral palsy improved? Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of a communication and learning assistance system based on ICTs

Abstract

The Organization of American States (OAS) reports that Ecuador has the third highest rate of citizens with disabilities in America, approaching a level of about 12.8%. INEC (Instituto Nacional de Estadisticas y Censos) publish data that coincide with that provided by the OAS and show that in this group of disabled citizens, the most significant disability in Ecuadorian children is Cerebral Palsy (CP). ICT (Information and Communications Technology, or Technologies) directed their development programs to create devices and systems that focus on offering a new way to support the necessities of children with CP. This paper presents the results of a study conducted over a year and a half that concerned the feasibility of implementing a didactic transmitter (that combines an electronic device with a smart app developed for Smartphones) on very young patients with spasticity in a Cerebral Palsy Institute. Additionally, we discuss results about possible improvements in the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy.