Ride-on car training using sitting and standing postures for mobility and socialization in young children with motor delays: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the effects of ride-on car (ROC) training using different postures on mobility and social function in children with motor delays in comparison with conventional therapy.

Materials and methods

Thirty-eight children (22 males, 16 females) with motor delays were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: ROC training while sitting (ROC-Sit, n = 15; mean age, 20.25 months; standard deviation [SD], 5.29), ROC training while standing (ROC-Stand, n = 12; mean age, 24.80 months; SD, 8.42), and conventional therapy (control, n = 11; mean age: 20.25 months, SD: 5.37). All groups underwent 2-h training sessions twice weekly over a 12-week intervention phase. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory and Goal Attainment Scaling were performed before and after the intervention and at follow-up sessions after 12 weeks.

Results

Mobility and goal achievement improved significantly in all groups after the intervention (p < 0.001; p < 0.0001). However, social function improved significantly only in the ROC-Stand group (p = 0.001), which had the highest number of participants showing clinically meaningful changes in mobility and social function.

Conclusion

Increased practice and caregivers’ involvement can improve children’s mobility and goal achievement. Adopting a standing posture in an ROC can enhance social function.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Providing active exploratory experience through ride-on cars or practicing specific skills can improve children’s mobility function.

• Ride-on car training in a standing posture allows children to access their distal environment visually, resulting in improved social function.

• Setting goals with caregivers maximizes the effects of treatment on goal achievement.

Keywords:

• Modified ride-on car
• mobility
• social function
• goal achievement
• randomized controlled trial

Acknowledgements

We thank the children and their parents/caregivers who contributed to the completion of this study. We would also like to thank Yu-Hsin, Hsieh, MS, OT, for providing ride-on car training, analyzing data, and writing the manuscript; Ching-Hao Chang, MS, OT, for conducting assessments and reviewing the manuscript; Wan-Ying Tsai, BS, OT, for assistance in modifying the ride-on cars and writing the discussion section; and Ching-Kai, Huang, MS, OT, and Chia-ling, Chen, MD, PhD, for their assistance in recruitment and writing the review.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (grant number 104-2314-B-182-023-MY3), and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (grant number BMRPD28). The funding sources had no role in the study design; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; manuscript writing; or the decision to submit the article for publication.