Ready, Set, Move! Tracking Children's Modified Ride-On Car Use With a Custom Data Logger
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Published on: May 17, 2024
Sarah M Dean-Hergert1, Christina Papazian, Rebecca Barchus
1Division of Physical Therapy (Drs Dean-Hergert, Barchus, Barroero, Schnare, and Feldner), Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Department of Mechanical Engineering (Ms Papazian), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Social Mobility Lab (Dr Logan), College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems (Dr Winfree), Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona.
Purpose:
To create and implement a next-generation, custom data logger to automatically track modified ride-on car (MROC) use in home and community settings, establish feasibility of long-term remote collection of community MROC use data, describe trends of MROC use, and explore parent perception of the MROC.
Methods:
In this descriptive study, a custom data logger was constructed and integrated into MROCs using an Arduino Pro-Mini microprocessor to capture real-time use data remotely.
Results:
It is feasible to automatically track MROC use in home and community settings. On average, MROC use trends appear consistent with caregiver reports and show higher initial use with steadily decreasing frequency over time, and varying bout duration and play session length, despite favorable caregiver perceptions of the cars.
Conclusions:
Remote tracking of MROC use may decrease burden on busy families and provide clinicians with valuable technology use data.
