Ride-on car training using sitting and standing postures for mobility and socialization in young children with motor delays: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of ride-on car (ROC) training using different postures on mobility and social function in children with motor delays in comparison with conventional therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight children (22 males, 16 females) with motor delays were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: ROC training while sitting (ROC-Sit, n  = 15; mean age, 20.25 months; standard deviation [ SD], 5.29), ROC training while standing (ROC-Stand, n  = 12; mean age, 24.80 months; SD, 8.42), and conventional therapy (control, n  = 11; mean age: 20.25 months, SD: 5.37). All groups underwent 2-h training sessions twice weekly over a 12-week intervention phase. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory and Goal Attainment Scaling were performed before and after the intervention and at follow-up sessions after 12 weeks.

RESULTS: Mobility and goal achievement improved significantly in all groups after the intervention ( p  < 0.001; p  < 0.0001). However, social function improved significantly only in the ROC-Stand group ( p  = 0.001), which had the highest number of participants showing clinically meaningful changes in mobility and social function.

CONCLUSION: Increased practice and caregivers' involvement can improve children's mobility and goal achievement. Adopting a standing posture in an ROC can enhance social function.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONProviding active exploratory experience through ride-on cars or practicing specific skills can improve children's mobility function.Ride-on car training in a standing posture allows children to access their distal environment visually, resulting in improved social function.Setting goals with caregivers maximizes the effects of treatment on goal achievement.