Promoting Self-exploration and Function Through an Individualized Power Mobility Training Program

Abstract

The outcomes of this case report appear to support the use of the Trainer, which allowed the participant to practice power mobility skills and participate in self-exploration of her environment.

Power mobility skill progression for children and adolescents: a systematic review of measures and their clinical application

“…45 The PMP, 24 initially developed for a study evaluating children's cognitive readiness for power mobility use, 3,24,38 was the measure most frequently cited. Validity evidence related to content included development based on Kenyon et al 41 Case study One female aged 18y CP Precursor 41 of PMTT 33 Kenyon et al 42 Case series Three children aged 17mo-3y 6mo CP PMTT 33 Nilsson and Durkin 16 39,43,45 Seven skills listed in initial study, 22 replicated and described briefly in second study. 23 Each item scored as achieved or not achieved.…”

“…36 Given the challenges discussed above about evidence of reliability and validity, we have significant concern with using the four measures' scores for determining eligibility for provision of power mobility. Although learners' goals, training, and use may differ, we believe children across all levels of the power mobility learning continuum may benefit from power mobility experience, 9,40,41,[48][49][50][51][52] and, in accordance with developmentally oriented, motor-learning principles, we suggest skill progression results from considerable and repeated practice in real-life situations. 8,53 Limitations This review included only English-language measures of power mobility skill that were used with children and published in peer-reviewed journals.…”

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

“…In the current study, over half of the respondents rated a child's cognitive abilities as an important factor in recommending power mobility experiences, whereas a higher percentage rated a child's cognitive abilities as important factor recommending an individually prescribed power wheelchair. Whether respondents considered certain cognitive abilities to be prerequisite to providing power mobility experience is not clear; however, research suggests that children with multiple, severe impairments may benefit and learn from power mobility use, even though they may never become independent power wheelchair users . In fact, Nilsson and Durkin specifically advocate for the use of power mobility as an intervention to promote learning in children with multiple, severe impairments, whereas Hardy suggests that cognitive skills previously considered prerequisite to using power mobility may, in fact, be developed through independent mobility experience .…”

Powered mobility interventions for very young children with mobility limitations to aid participation and positive development: the EMPoWER evidence synthesis

“…l Ability to undertake basic tasks related to looking after oneself, such as eating or drinking l Caregiver assistance l Autonomy, freedom, choice and control l Participation Autonomy, independence, choice and control, and freedom (quantitative studies; 12,13,58,62,75,76,86,89,[91][92][93]98,[106][107][108] He played baseball this year, so he was able to run the bases in his power chair, which he could never have done beforehand. Parent, Wiart et al 102 Enjoying movement for its own sake was also important, particularly for some of the boys who both described and demonstrated their enjoyment of the sensation of movement and speed.…”