Ride-On Toy Cars to Advance Mobility and Development in Infants with Cerebral Palsy in the Home Setting: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the broad impacts of providing a ride-on car as a mobility device to promote self-produced locomotion and socialization in infants with Cerebral Palsy (CP). The research model was based on the interaction between the individual child, ride-on car device, environment and task. Two children with varying degrees of CP were given ride-on car devices for a three-month home intervention period: Brenden and Maya. The primary goals of the study were to test the feasibility of the device for the children by increasing independent locomotion and increasing interaction with the environment Secondary goals included an improvement in measured developmental levels, positive perceptions from the child and family, as well as other improving other measures of socialization. There was a development of quantitative metric system of coding variables to assess mobility and interaction with the environment. Results from weekly home observations and parental questionnaires were coded using quantifiable metrics and it was found that the ride-on car device positively impacted both Brenden and Maya. They both exhibited an increase in independent mobility and increase in interaction/socialization with the environment. There were only marginal increases of developmental criterion for Maya, and no change for Brenden. The two different children provided important differences in results and highlighted the potential breadth of the ride-on car device applications. The ride-on car device could be used to increase mobility in a wide range of children with mobility impairments.