Learning outcomes of infants and young children with spinal muscular atrophy type I provided with modified-electric-toy-cars in their natural environment

Objectives: To examine powered mobility learning in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I, involving families and evaluating goal attainment through the use of small, modified electric toy cars in the children’s natural environments. Design: Single-blind pilot intervention study derived from an originally planned wait-list randomized controlled trial. This report includes only the immediate-intervention group that received powered mobility training. Setting: Participants’ natural environments. Participants: Children aged 10 months to 5 years diagnosed with SMA type I, with no previous powered mobility experience. Interventions: Individualized adaptations of electric toy cars, including postural supports and customized control systems. The structured program lasted 12 weeks, with three 30-minute sessions per week. Outcome Measures: Progress in powered mobility use was assessed using the Assessment of Learning Powered Mobility use (ALP). Functional goal achievement was measured with Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS). Results: Of the 16 children enrolled, 9 completed the 12-week intervention. The greatest improvement in ALP phase occurred between weeks 0–4 (88.88%; p = 0.01). Functional goals showed significant improvement at all measured intervals (p Training of powered mobility took place in the natural environment of children with family involvement.The size and adaptability of the modified electric-toy-cars allowed the children to practice mobility in both narrow and open spaces, facilitating the transfer of learning to various environments.Regular visits by a professional provided personalized guidance, empowering parents to conduct the sessions independently, improving adherence and consistency.After 8 weeks of the 12 weeks training period the evaluations of the ALP phase indicated that all participants had reached awareness of how to operate the modified-electric-toy-car in their natural environment.Statistical power may be limited due to attrition (7/16 participants did not complete training); results should be interpreted cautiously. Training of powered mobility took place in the natural environment of children with family involvement. The size and adaptability of the modified electric-toy-cars allowed the children to practice mobility in both narrow and open spaces, facilitating the transfer of learning to various environments. Regular visits by a professional provided personalized guidance, empowering parents to conduct the sessions independently, improving adherence and consistency. After 8 weeks of the 12 weeks training period the evaluations of the ALP phase indicated that all participants had reached awareness of how to operate the modified-electric-toy-car in their natural environment. Statistical power may be limited due to attrition (7/16 participants did not complete training); results should be interpreted cautiously.