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Use of power mobility for a young child with spinal muscular atrophy
Maria A Jones1, Irene R McEwen, Laura Hansen
1College of Allied Health, Department of Rehabilitation Science, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1600 N Phillips, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. maria-jones@ouhsc.edu
Insights
Power mobility devices like power wheelchairs can help young children with severe motor impairments, such as spinal muscular atrophy, gain independence and improve developmental outcomes through environmental exploration.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Assistive Technology
Background:
- Children with severe motor impairments, like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), face challenges in independent mobility, potentially impacting overall development.
- Power mobility offers a solution by enabling independent movement and environmental exploration for these children.
Observation:
- A 20-month-old girl with type II spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) was provided with a power wheelchair.
- Caregivers and therapists received guidance to encourage the child's use of the device.
Findings:
- The child achieved independent operation of the power wheelchair within 6 weeks.
- Significant developmental gains were observed across all domains of the Battelle Developmental Inventory and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory over 6 months.
- Maternal reports indicated increased child independence post-intervention.
Implications:
- Power mobility interventions may positively influence mobility and developmental trajectories in young children with severe motor impairments.
- Early provision of power mobility can be a valuable strategy to foster independence and enhance developmental progress.
Background And Purpose:
Young children with severe motor impairments, such as spinal muscular atrophy, are often unable to move around their environment independently; therefore, they may be at risk for delays in areas of development not directly related to their motor limitations. Power mobility is an intervention that provides young children a means of independent movement and enables them to independently explore their environment.
Case Description:
The participant was a 20-month-old girl with type II spinal muscular atrophy.
Intervention:
The authors provided the child with a power wheelchair and gave her mother and physical therapist general guidelines to encourage her use of the power wheelchair.
Outcomes:
Within 6 weeks after receiving the power wheelchair, the child operated the wheelchair independently. She showed developmental gains in all domains of the Battelle Developmental Inventory and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory over 6 months. The authors conducted an interview with the child's mother before and after intervention. She reported that the child was more independent after receiving the power wheelchair.
Discussion:
The power wheelchair may have been associated with the changes in the child's mobility and her developmental changes over 6 months.