The project created the first online video games service for youths with Cerebral Palsy (CP), which host a platform of games (exergames and non-exergames) focused on improving motor skills and visual-motor coordination for youths with CP. These games leverage the latest advances in games development, games authoring tools, machine learning, development of interactive games distribution platforms and input devices, in order to improve accessibility. The platform has been constructed with social networking in mind, which allows parents, caregivers and patients to socialize in a common environment, to share experiences and advice, in an effort to provide the best care for CP patients. Caregivers are also able to share best practices and lessons learned among themselves, which will help them provide a better service across Europe and beyond.
GABLE was born out of the idea that there is little or no help for youths with CP to play games specifically suited for their disability, while motivating them to play more and helping to rehabilitate their motor and motor-visual skills, and at the same time, introducing them to multiplayer/online gaming that would improve their social skills, and by extension, their social inclusion among their peers. Looking at the research done into these problems, we have seen that only baby steps have been made in an attempt to solve them. Several isolated demonstrations, in a research environment, have shown that there is great potential in exergames to be used as rehabilitation tools while others have shown that multiplayer can bring about social interaction leading to an improvement of social skills for disabled patients.
GABLE is the first online gaming platform for patients with CP, where they, and their caregivers and parents, can have instant access to games, join a community of peers, and share their knowledge in order to provide the best possible help for all youth with CP. The platform was built around the idea that online or multiplayer games take advantage of the motivational aspects of group activity, and can provide additional motivation and stimulate compared to single player games. The complete GABLE system and its functionalities have been tested by several CP patients in several pilot centres around Europe. The results obtained during the project shown that GABLE system have a real positive impact in the life quality of patients with Cerebral Palsy who regularly use the system. The GABLE system has been positively evaluated by Caregiver, Parents, Users and health professional working in the rehabilitation sector of CP patients.
