Power mobility for children: a survey study of American and Canadian therapists’ perspectives and practices

Abstract

Occupational and physical therapists positively view early introduction of power mobility for children with mobility limitations. Few therapists actively provide early power mobility experiences. Power mobility training and monitoring power mobility devices are important therapist roles.

Predictive model of proficiency in powered mobility of children and young adults with motor impairments

“…In some studies, practice time has been identified as an important factor in proficiency. Other studies, including the results of the current study, did not find significant associations between practice time and proficiency.…”

“…5,28 It is important to continue to follow the emergence of access technologies such as motor control via brain-computer interfaces, voice and eye activation, and face recognition, which may prove to be more efficient, and intuitive modes for individuals with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. 29 In some studies, 13,17 practice time has been identified as an important factor in proficiency. Other studies, 24 including the results of the current study, did not find significant associations between practice time and proficiency.…”

“…In Israel, before 2009, children under the age of 6 years were not entitled to funding for a powered wheelchair by the Ministry of Health (MOH); currently, children as young as 2 years may receive their own powered wheelchair if they are proficient drivers. Kenyon et al 17 found that 96% of Canadian and American therapists who participated in a survey agreed or strongly agreed that powered mobility is important and can facilitate development of children who have limited self-mobility. Nevertheless, only 25% of the therapists actively provided powered mobility training up to two or three times a month because of the lack of access to equipment and lack of familiarity with clinical issues related to powered mobility prescription.…”

“…In Israel, before 2009, children under the age of 6 years were not entitled to funding for a powered wheelchair by the Ministry of Health (MOH); currently, children as young as 2 years may receive their own powered wheelchair if they are proficient drivers. Kenyon et al . found that 96% of Canadian and American therapists who participated in a survey agreed or strongly agreed that powered mobility is important and can facilitate development of children who have limited self‐mobility.…”

Evaluating a Therapeutic Powered Mobility Camp for Children with Severe Cerebral Palsy

“…Research has shown that children with severe limitations can learn powered mobility skills (Bottos et al, 2001;Durkin, 2009;Kenyon et al, 2016;Nilsson, 2019). Many, however, are denied access to independent mobility due to their limited cognitive, physical or behavioral abilities rather than being provided with practice opportunities (Kenyon et al, 2018b;Nisbet, 2002). A systematic review of powered mobility training methods concluded that there is only moderate evidence to support teaching powered mobility, and recommended additional research regarding power mobility training methods for children (Kenyon et al, 2018a).…”