The IndieTrainer system: a clinical trial protocol exploring use of a powered wheelchair training intervention for children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Objective

The IndieTrainer system, comprised of both a mobility device and gamified training modules, was developed to aid powered wheelchair (PWC) skills acquisition in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The aims of this small-scale study are to: explore use of the IndieTrainer system to improve PWC skills in children who have CP and document parental/caregiver perceptions of, and satisfaction with, the IndieTrainer system.

Method

This small-scale study is an open-label single-arm clinical trial involving a three-week PWC training intervention consisting of two 60-minute training sessions per week. A single session retention trial will be held four weeks after the completion of the intervention period. All research activities will take place in-person in a laboratory-based setting located within a university. Twenty-five child-parent/caregiver dyads will participate in the study. Each child participant will be 3 to 21 years of age and have a diagnosis of CP or other similar condition. The Assessment of Learning Powered mobility use will be the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures will include the Wheelchair Skills Checklist, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, the Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire-8, and a qualitative interview. Data analyses will involve one-way repeated measures ANOVAs followed by paired samples t-tests with Bonferroni adjustments.

Impact

The IndieTrainer system allows children to explore and use power mobility in their own manual wheelchair and was designed to meet the needs of power mobility learners across the continuum of learning. It is the first PWC training system to optimize learning for early learners who do not yet understand cause and effect concepts.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• The IndieTrainer system is designed to meet the needs of power mobility learners across the continuum of learning.

• This protocol outlines a novel means of providing progressive power mobility training.

• The IndieTrainer was designed to expand power mobility access to children with cerebral palsy, a previously underserved population.

Keywords:

• Powered wheelchairs
• power mobility training
• cerebral palsy
• paediatrics

Disclosure statement

Ms. Veety reports her employment by the company that created the IndieGo. Dr. Zondervan reports his employment by the company that created the IndieTrainer system. The other authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH-R44HD103522). The funder had no role in the study design and will not have any role in data collection, data interpretation, or preparation of scientific manuscripts or presentations.