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Explorer Mini: Infants' Initial Experience with a Novel Pediatric Powered Mobility Device
Teresa Plummer1, Samuel W Logan2, Claire Morress3
1School of Occupational Therapy, Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Insights
Young children with mobility limitations can effectively use the Explorer Mini, a new powered mobility device. This device enables self-initiated exploration and positive emotional responses in infants and toddlers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation engineering
- Developmental pediatrics
- Assistive technology
Background:
- Young children with mobility limitations often face challenges in independent exploration.
- Early powered mobility can significantly impact a child's development and emotional well-being.
- The Explorer Mini is a novel pediatric powered mobility device designed for infants and toddlers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the driving experiences of young children using the Explorer Mini.
- To document the emotional responses of children during their initial use of this powered mobility device.
- To assess the usability of the Explorer Mini for children aged 6-36 months with mobility impairments.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional, mixed-method study was conducted.
- Thirty-three children (6-36 months) with mobility limitations participated.
- Children received two 15-minute driving sessions, with researchers collecting qualitative field notes and quantitative behavioral data.
Main Results:
- Thematic analysis revealed themes of self-initiated movement ('I can move') and positive engagement ('I think I like it').
- Quantitative data showed 94% of children could successfully propel the Explorer Mini to explore their environment.
- Children demonstrated effective use of the midline joystick for self-initiated mobility.
Conclusions:
- Infants and toddlers aged 6-36 months can effectively operate the Explorer Mini.
- The Explorer Mini facilitates self-initiated mobility and exploration in young children with mobility limitations.
- The device's design supports early adoption and positive user experiences.
Aims:
The purpose of this study is to describe the driving experience and emotional responses of young children who experience mobility limitations during initial use of the Explorer Mini, a new pediatric powered mobility device.
Methods:
The current study utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional, and mixed- method approach. Thirty-three young children between 6 and 36 months of age who experience mobility limitations participated in this study and were provided up to two, 15-minute driving sessions with the Explorer Mini. Researchers completed an observation form that included field notes (qualitative data) and answers to yes/no questions to generate percentages of observed behaviors (quantitative data) regarding young children's driving experience and emotional responses while using the Explorer Mini.
Results:
Thematic analysis from field notes (i.e., qualitative data) revealed two inter-related themes: 1) I can move, 2) I think I like it- don't I? Ninety four percent (i.e., quantitative data) of young children were able to move the Explorer Mini to explore their environment.
Conclusions:
Young children demonstrated self-initiated mobility with a powered mobility device using the midline joystick. The results support the notion that infants 6-36 months can effectively use the Explorer Mini. The device received Food and Drug Administration 510k clearance in February 2020.
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