Designing digital games for people with cerebral palsy - a qualitative approach on fostering self-efficacy and therapy compliance

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common disability in childhood affecting movement, posture and muscle tone. Increasing self-efficacy can aid to foster therapy compliance in CP patients and improve their quality of daily life. Semistructured interviews (N=19) with therapists, children and adults with CP were conducted in order to gather information on how to increase self-efficacy and therapy compliance during physical exercises, and how game design of a digital therapy application can support this. Results have been evaluated in a focus group (N=6) and additional interviews (N=2). In conclusion, six categories were identified, that influence therapy compliance and self-efficacy in both digital and real world environment. Considering these when designing a digital game for CP patients may enhance the success of therapy and quality of a patient's life.