Modified toy car for pre-school children with mobility impairments
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Parental perspectives of using modified toy cars on social interactions of preschool children with mobility impairments.
IRAS ID
190768
Contact name
Jackie Casey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ulster University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Research has shown that powered mobility with very young children with mobility impairments can increase self-initiated behaviour, support learning, facilitate social interaction and reduce the development of learned helplessness. However, it has been reported that powered mobility interventions with younger children with mobility problems remains an underutilised intervention largely due to negative attitudes of parents towards such devices. \n\nIn recent years, research has focused on using powered ride-on toys as an alternative to power wheelchairs for young children. Using such devices has shown to promote learning and social interaction. To date, no research has investigated parental attitudes to using toy cars as a mobility device. The aim of this project is to investigate parental perspectives on the impact of using a modified electric ride-on toy car on the social interactions of pre-school children with mobility difficulties.\n\nThis study will involve 5 children between the ages of 1-4 years old and their parents/guardians. Children with a diagnosis of Spina Bifida who are not yet walking independently, with no previous experience of using a powered mobility device will be included in the sample. \n\nParticipants will be recruited via the Northern Ireland branch of SHINE (Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Information, Networking, Equality) charity that supports children with Spina Bifida. A charity link person will issue leaflets about the research to parents they identify as meeting the inclusion criteria. The leaflet will contain a reply slip which parents should return to the researcher if they wish to be involved.\n\nParticipants will then attend a clinic appointment to select a toy car and to determine the modifications required to enable the child to drive. Once modifications are completed the family will be asked to use the car during social interactions. After 8 weeks, the parents will be interviewed to establish their attitude toward their child using the car.\n
REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
16/WS/0007
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion