Explorer Mini: Infants’ Initial Experience with a Novel Pediatric Powered Mobility Device

Abstract

Aims

The purpose of this study is to describe the driving experience and emotional responses of young children who experience mobility limitations during initial use of the Explorer Mini, a new pediatric powered mobility device.

Methods

The current study utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional, and mixed- method approach. Thirty-three young children between 6 and 36 months of age who experience mobility limitations participated in this study and were provided up to two, 15-minute driving sessions with the Explorer Mini. Researchers completed an observation form that included field notes (qualitative data) and answers to yes/no questions to generate percentages of observed behaviors (quantitative data) regarding young children’s driving experience and emotional responses while using the Explorer Mini.

Results

Thematic analysis from field notes (i.e., qualitative data) revealed two inter-related themes: 1) I can move, 2) I think I like it- don’t I? Ninety four percent (i.e., quantitative data) of young children were able to move the Explorer Mini to explore their environment.

Conclusions

Young children demonstrated self-initiated mobility with a powered mobility device using the midline joystick. The results support the notion that infants 6–36 months can effectively use the Explorer Mini. The device received Food and Drug Administration 510k clearance in February 2020.

Keywords:

• Adapted aids
• assistive technology
• environmental exploration
• early intervention
• infant development
• intervention for mobility
• mobility impairments
• on-time/early mobility
• pediatric mobility
• qualitative studies
• self-initiated mobility

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to recognize the input, reviews and guidance of Karin Leire, MS, Vice President of Research and Innovation, Permobil. Additionally, gratitude is extended to the families, clinics and therapist of the children who participated in this study.

Disclosure statement

This study was funded by Permobil. In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and our ethical obligation as researchers, we are reporting that we received funding from a company that may be affected by the research reported in the enclosed paper. We have disclosed those interests fully to Taylor & Francis, and I have in place an approved plan for managing any potential conflicts arising from that involvement.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Teresa Plummer

Dr. Teresa Plummer is an Associate Professor in the School of Occupational Therapy at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. She has over 40 years of occupational therapy practice. She is an Assistive Technology Professional, is certified as an Aging in Place Specialist and Ergonomic Assessment Specialist. Her research agenda includes the influence of mobility for children and adults, assistive technology interventions for pediatrics. Dr. Plummer has presented nationally and international in the area of pediatric powered mobility. She served as the Primary Investigator of this study.

Samuel W. Logan

Dr. Samuel W. Logan is an Associate Professor in the Kinesiology program within the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University. His research agenda focuses on the health and wellbeing of typically developing children and children with disabilities, with recent work emphasizing the role of independent mobility in the development of language, cognition, play interactions, and motor behaviors of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, and other significant physical and cognitive diagnoses. His research is interdisciplinary in nature, bridging the fields of Kinesiology, Psychology and Pediatric Rehabilitation.

Claire Morress

Dr. Claire Morress is the Research Coordinator for the Perlman Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, and holds a faculty position at Xavier University. Dr. Morress’s interests include interventions for children with cerebral palsy, early power mobility, and complex assistive technology applications. She has presented at national/international conferences and is one of three Principal Investigators in the FDA Permobil Explorer Mini study.