Beginning power mobility: parent and therapist perspectives

Abstract

Purpose

To explore parent and therapist experiences of early power mobility following participation in a Power Mobility Day – a 60–90 min play-based session where children with mobility limitations (<6 years of age) experienced four different early power mobility devices.

Method

Participants were purposefully selected from parents and therapists who took part in Power Mobility Days as part of a larger cross-sectional study. One semi-structured interview with each participant was conducted via telephone. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a content analysis approach.

Results

Of 35 adults approached, 11 parents and 11 occupational or physical therapists completed interviews averaging 20 min (range 10–45 min), one week to three months after the session. Participants were parents or therapists of children aged 12 to 48 months of age with a variety of neuromotor diagnoses from different areas of the province. The overarching theme Empowering Children and Families to Explore was developed from themes: Earlier Experiences; A Novel Introduction; and Moving Forward.

Conclusion

Power Mobility Days provided a welcoming and inclusive child- and family-led introduction to power mobility. This novel approach may help change both therapists’ and families’ perception of child potential and perspectives on power mobility as an intervention.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION:

• Exploratory sessions can provide a novel introduction to power mobility interventions.

• Child enjoyment has a reciprocal impact on family engagement with early power mobility.

• Experiential child- and family-led learning can increase awareness of power mobility options and possibilities.

Keywords:

• Children
• wheelchair
• disability
• assistive technology
• qualitative

Acknowledgements

We graciously thank Lori Roxborough MSc, OT/PT for her encouragement and support in development of this research project; Sunny Hill Foundation for Children for funding the devices; Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children for supporting study conduct; our colleagues on the Positioning and Mobility and Assistive Technology Teams for assisting with study conduct; Christian Field, illustrator of Figure 1; and all the families, children and community therapists around the province who took part in Power Mobility Days and the follow-up interviews. Dr. Zwicker is a former Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar and is funded by BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Sunny Hill Foundation, and Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Author contributions

RL initiated the idea and designed the study with consultation from DF. NP and CS conducted and transcribed the interviews and completed a preliminary analysis and manuscript under the academic supervision of JGZ and clinical supervision of DF and RL. RL and DF re-analyzed all transcripts, abstracted themes and developed the preliminary model. RL wrote the first draft of the final manuscript and refined it with DF. All authors provided comments and edits and are in agreement with the final version. RL is the guarantor.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Sunny Hill Foundation for Children funded the devices. Dr. Zwicker is a former Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research scholar and is funded by BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Sunny Hill Foundation, and Canadian Institutes of Health Research.