Evaluating Outcomes of Assistive Technology for Communication, Computer Access, and Environmental Control in Rehabilitation

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to improve the quality of prosthetic interventions and assess the suitability of assistive devices used for Augmentative Alternative Communication AAC, computer accessibility, and environmental control. The study will recruit fifty patients who require these prosthetic interventions, including devices such as communicators, specialized keyboards, mouse emulators, eye pointers, accessibility software, and remote controls. The study is observational and conducted at the Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi IRCCS S.Maria Nascente in Milan. At the start T0, patients will undergo clinical and cognitive evaluations by a physician and psychologist using various assessment tools administered via accessible software on PCs or web pages. Based on these assessments, the most appropriate assistive solution will be prescribed or suggested. The assistive devices will be classified according to international standards. Participants will then be followed up 3 to 6 months after receiving their assistive technology T1, during which the assessments will be repeated to measure outcomes. Throughout the study, participants will complete questionnaires and tests including quality of life measures, satisfaction with assistive technology, and the importance and severity of problems they expect to improve. Data will be collected at baseline and follow-up to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction with the assistive devices. The study aims to use both quantitative and qualitative data to understand the outcomes of these interventions over the course of 3 to 6 months.

Outcomes of ICT Assistive Technology in RehabiliTAtIoN Pathways