Using Power Mobility Training to Promote Arm & Hand Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Arm- and hand-use focused power mobility training.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Cerebral Palsy, Hemiplegia, Infantile. Basic parameters: 3 years — 8 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United States
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
Approximately 40% of children with ambulatory cerebral palsy have significant functional asymmetries in arm and hand function. Children with these significant functional asymmetries have difficulties using their more-affected (less preferred) arm and hand in daily activities, especially true in daily activities requiring bilateral hand and arm use. Recent research suggests that power mobility training provided via a ride-on toy may help to motivate these children to use their less preferred arm and hand. This research further notes that participation in power mobility training designed to encourage a child to use their less preferred arm and hand also may help to improve their arm and hand function and use in their daily activities. This exploratory study seeks to explore an innovative intervention using arm- and hand-use focused power mobility training activities, encompassing both navigational/maneuvering activities and embedded play-based reaching and grasping activities. During power mobility training activities, children will be asked to wear a soft mitten or sock on their preferred hand to help them remember to use their less preferred hand and arm. The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine both the effect and feasibility of a 6-week laboratory-based arm-and hand-use focused power mobility training program.
Interventions
- Other Arm- and hand-use focused power mobility training
These arm- and hand-use focused power mobility training activities will encompass both navigational/maneuvering activities and play-based reaching and grasping activities embedded into the navigational/maneuvering activities. During power mobility training activities, children will be asked to wear a soft mitten or sock on their preferred hand to help them remember to use their less preferred hand and arm.
Primary outcome measures
- Canadian Occupational Performance Measure [Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks]
- ABILHAND-Kids-CP Questionnaire [Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Shriner's Hospital Upper Extremity Evaluation [Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 6 weeks]
- Grip strength [Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Diagnosis of cerebral palsy
- Demonstrates significantly less functional use of one arm and hand
- Can get on and off the a ride-on toy with minimal assistance from the researchers
- Can maintain a sitting position on the a ride-on toy
- Has sufficient functional vision to safely maneuver the a ride-on toy
- Has their own bicycle helmet that fits them well and is in good working condition
Exclusion criteria
- Hand or arm surgery within the past 6 months
- Their weight exceeds device limits (more than 120 pounds)
- They do not demonstrate sufficient balance and control in sitting to safely use the ride-on toy
- If they cannot safely participate in arm- and hand-use focused power mobility training activities.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- N/A
- Model
- Single group
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
United States · 1 center
- Grand Valley State University — Grand Rapids
Publications
- Srinivasan SM, Kataria K, Yorns W Jr, Moore TE, Yoo C, Kumavor PD, Morgan K, Friel K. A novel program including ride-on toys to improve upper extremity function in children with hemiplegia: a randomized controlled trial. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2026 Jan;21(1):173-186. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2025.2534436. Epub 2025 Jul 21. PMID 40689868
- Srinivasan S, Shahane V, Kumavor P, Morgan K, Friel K. Joystick-Operated Ride-On Toys as a Therapy Adjunct for a Child With Hemiplegia: A Case Report. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2025 Jul 1;37(3):371-379. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000001209. Epub 2025 Jun 27. PMID 40587602
- Amonkar N, Kumavor P, Morgan K, Bubela D, Srinivasan S. Feasibility of Using Joystick-Operated Ride-on-Toys to Promote Upper Extremity Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2022 Oct 1;34(4):508-517. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000944. Epub 2022 Aug 30. PMID 36044637
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07342348 · 26-065-H