Modified Ride-on Car Intervention for Children With Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities: A Case Series

Pediatr Phys Ther. 2023 Apr 1;35(2):277-283. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000001002. Epub 2023 Feb 27.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a pilot clinical case series of a modified ride-on car (MROC) intervention on mobility and alertness for young children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD).

Methods: Four young children with PIMD participated in 4 baseline observations and 5 intervention sessions (A-B design). Data collection occurred via video. Assessment of mobility and alertness duration used structured visual analysis.

Results: Three of the 4 children increased their independent mobility during the intervention sessions. One of the 4 children increased their active alertness during the intervention sessions.

Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates the initial feasibility of an MROC intervention in a clinical setting and outcome measures of mobility and alertness for children with PIMD. This provides support that this population should be considered for power mobility in early childhood. Further, this study used a novel, caregiver-implemented prompting protocol to teach children how to use the MROC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Attention
  • Automobiles
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disabled Persons* / rehabilitation
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability* / rehabilitation
  • Pilot Projects