Power-assisted Mobility for Children

NCT06159400 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HS26207 (H2023:321)
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 2
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In this project, we intend to explore the experience of children who use a manual wheelchair (MWC), their parent/guardian, and their prescribing therapist after the child is exposed to a power-assist device (PAD) attached to their MWC as a potential mobility alternative. The specific objectives are 1) to explore the children's experience and impressions of using the PAD; 2) To explore the parent/guardians' perspectives on potential application of the PAD for their child, and 3) To explore occupational/physical therapists' perspectives on potential recommendation of, and training with, a PAD for children.

Conditions

Power Assisted Device; Children, Only

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Child's experience

  A semi-structured interview will be used to gain insight into children's experience using a power-assisted device. After a brief introduction, the child will be asked about their own wheelchair (how long they have used it, how often they use it, what do they do with their wheelchair, do they find it difficult or easy, any challenges). They will then be asked about the power assisted device (what did you think about it, how difficult was it to use, did your therapist do anything to help you with the power assisted device, did you get used to using it, what did you like most, what did you like least). They will then be asked if they would want a power assisted device if it was possible to get one. The interview will then be concluded.

  The semi-structured interview will be conducted after the final (3rd) session of the child being exposed to the power-assisted device.Interviews will last approximately 30 minutes each.

• Parent/Guardian's experience

  A semi-structured interview will be used to gain insight into parent or guardian's experience with their child using a power-assisted device (PAD). After a brief introduction, the parent/guardian will be asked to tell the interviewers about their child's use of a manual wheelchair (MWC) (how long they have used it, how much time do they use their MWC for mobility, difficulties or challenges with the MWC). They will then be asked about the use of the PAD (what did you think the first time you saw it, how do you think your child found using the PAD the first time and did this change, do you think it was any different than their MWC, how difficult do you think it was for your child to learn to use the PAD, how confident would you be with your child's use of the PAD now, what impact did the PAD have on your child's confidence). They would then be asked if they could, hypothetically, get a PAD for their child, if they would want one. The interview will then be concluded.

  The semi-structured interview will be conducted after the final (3rd) session of the child being exposed to the power-assisted device.Interviews will last approximately 30 minutes each.

• Therapist's experience

  A semi-structured interview will be used to gain insight into therapist's experience with the child using a power-assisted device (PAD). After a short introduction, the therapist will be asked to tell the interviewer about their pervious experience using a PAD (how familiar they are and how easy it was to learn). They will then be asked how easy (or difficult) they found teaching a child to use the PAD (what made teaching difficult, what concerns did you have about a child using a PAD, what activities do you think are most important to address in training a child to use a PAD, was there enough time (2 or 3 sessions) to get a sense of whether a PAD might be appropriate (safe/competent) for a child). The therapist will then be asked what potential applications do they see for this child using a PAD? The therapist will be asked if they see a potential application for using PAD with other children. The interview will then be concluded.

  The semi-structured interview will be conducted after the final (3rd) session of the child being exposed to the power-assisted device. Interviews will last approximately 30 minutes each.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: Up to 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Children who are current clients at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children

You may qualify if:

• Children (\>18 years) among current Rehabilitation Centre for Children clients who use a manual wheelchair
• parents express a willingness or interest to pursue power assisted device use for their child

You may not qualify if:

• have insufficient motor, cognitive and development skills to learn to use a power assisted device

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Manitoba: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Manitoba

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0T6, Canada

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Kenyon LK, Blank K, Meengs J, Schultz AM. "Make it fun": a qualitative study exploring key aspects of power mobility interventions for children. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2023 Apr;18(3):304-312. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1849431. Epub 2020 Dec 1.

  PMID: 33259252 BACKGROUND

• Ross T, Buliung R. A systematic review of disability's treatment in the active school travel and children's independent mobility literatures. Transport reviews. 2018;38(3):349-371.

  BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Ed Giesbrecht, PhD

  University of Manitoba

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: OTHER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 28, 2023
• First Posted: December 6, 2023
• Study Start: March 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2024
• Study Completion: June 1, 2024
• Last Updated: February 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2023-11

Locations

CA (1)