Spinal Muscular Atrophy on Wheels, Using Power Mobility

Overview

The group of children diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) has serious restrictions on participation. SMA is a neuromuscular disease that leads to neuromusculoskeletal disorders that limit functional activities, sometimes making it impossible to sit down autonomously and to walk. Scientific evidence has highlighted the importance of implementing physiotherapy interventions in pediatrics that facilitate the integration and participation of children with reduced mobility in their natural environment through the use of different assisted mobility devices that allow the child to acquire a degree of independence and motivation according to their potential and needs. For some time, with the aim of offering independent movement opportunities for children with severe motor impairment, adapted electric cars have been used, as they are simple to use and easy for the child and family to incorporate into daily tasks within natural environments. These low-cost motorized devices can generate a very positive impact on the participation of children diagnosed with SMA type I from an early age, after training the family and/or the child himself, guaranteeing the maximum possible safety, comfort, motivation and autonomy. Due to the above, there is a need to carry out the research project defined below, to generate opportunities for the inclusion of children diagnosed with SMA type I through the use of low-cost electric cars that encourage their participation, motivation and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES 1. To know the acceptability of an intervention with motorized mobility through electric cars for young children diagnosed with SMA type I. 2. To check the effectiveness of the motorized mobility intervention with electric cars with respect to: (a) mobility and (b) participation of young children with SMA type I with respect to the control group of children who do not use such devices. 3. To identify the barriers and facilitators of the child's participation in their natural environment of a motorized mobility intervention with electric cars in young children with SMA type I.