Investigators researched the long-term outcomes and perceived value of modified ride-on vehicles a child has received from a GoBabyGo program. This study primarily sought to identify the various ways the vehicle were used, estimated time of usage, quality of the modifications and what, if anything, had been damaged on the vehicle. Parents were also asked about their overall perceived value of the vehicle for their child.
Research on the long-term outcomes and value of GoBabyGo!
Researchers from the IU Department of Physical Therapy: Megan Siergiel, Mackenzie Wilson, and Peter Altenburger, Ph.D., PT
Background
- Mobility is key for appropriate child development. In the early years of life, children develop physically, emotionally, and socially through play and exploration of their environment.1 Children with mobility difficulties may not develop these realms in the same way as their peers who are able to fully explore their environment.
- In the United States, more than 1.5 million children experience difficulties with mobility from the time of birth and on.1 The cost of medical devices to assist children in achieving mobility are astronomical and difficult for families to afford. Cost is a significant barrier to purchasing the mobility devices children need to assist in achieving their therapeutic goals.
- GoBabyGo is an organization created by Cole Galloway from the University of Delaware in 2007 in an effort to offer independent mobility to children with motor and cognitive delays at no cost to the family. GoBabyGo cars offer mobility in an enjoyable way for children to continue working on therapeutic goals and keep up with their peers.
Methods
- Any parent or guardian whose child has received a modified ride-on car from the GoBabyGo program was eligible to participate in this survey.
- Eligible subjects were recruited via phone, social media, word of mouth, distribution of survey through GoBabyGo leaders, academic institutions, and contact lists.
- 28 programs were directly contacted to distribute the survey with at least one1 response from 5 different programs. 18 of 24 graduates from the GoBabyGo at IU program responded to the survey.
- The survey comprised of 27 questions aimed at obtaining information regarding demographics, usage, value, and experience.
- The survey was completed voluntarily by 27 people.
Reach
Demographics
| Demographic Characteristics | Demographic Breakdowns | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child's current age | 1–2 years 3–4 years 5–6 years 7–8 years | 2 16 4 5 | 7.4% 59.3% 14.8% 18.5% |
| Primary diagnosis | Cerebral Palsy Down Syndrome Other | 8 6 13 | 29.6% 22.2% 48.2% |
| Type of event where child received car | Community Day Event Semester Build One Day Event Other | 13 7 4 3 | 48.2% 25.9% 14.8% 11.1% |
| Type of therapy child is currently receiving | Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Developmental Therapy ABA Therapy | 25 23 22 11 4 | 92.6% 85.2% 81.5% 40.7% 14.8% |
Usage
- On average, the majority of subjects spent between 2–5 hours per week using their GoBabyGo car at first, trending down to 0–1 hour per week currently (Figure 2 and 3).
- 52 percent reported still using their GoBabyGo car with 44 percent stating they use it but have not recently due to the weather (survey conducted in February through March). 7 percent of subjects reported their child grew out of the car, 3 percent reported the car no longer works, and 3 percent reported difficulty using the car as the reason for no longer using their GoBabyGo car (Figure 3).
- Only 25 percent of subjects reported damage to the car including buttons, strings, and external structures with only
When your child first received their GoBabyGo car, how much time did he or she spend using it on a weekly basis?
How much time does your child currently spend using his or her GoBabyGo car on a weekly basis?
Value
Value of GoBabyGo Cars
| Theme | Representation of Theme |
|---|---|
| Activity | “My child is not yet mobile but is now able to explore and move around in the environment with the use of the GoBabyGo car.” |
| Independence | “My child feels accomplished by the ability to keep up with others. It has given him great independence.” |
| Opportunity | “The GoBabyGo car has made play time more enjoyable for my child and has helped her feel like she is just like any other kid.” |
| Peer Interaction | “The GoBabyGo car gave my child the ability to participate in a one-mile run with her friends and she is now able to play outside with her brother.” |
| Positive Self Image | "My child is so proud to drive his car and play with his siblings.” |
| Therapeutic | “My child is improving his ability to control and manipulate the car around his environment which will lead to Medicaid paying for a power wheelchair for him.” |
Discussion
- The results of the administered parent or caregiver-directed survey indicate GoBabyGo cars are beneficial for children with motor and cognitive delays.
- 100 percent of respondents indicated they would recommend The GoBabyGo program to other families.
- Overall, children benefitted greatly from the GoBabyGo cars. Specifically, improvements in outlook on life, interactions with peers, physical abilities, and cognition were reported (Figure 4).
- Open-ended value-based questions provided insight on meaningful outcomes of GoBabyGo cars including improved activity, independence, opportunity, peer interaction, and self-image as well as serving as a therapeutic tool.
References
- Cheney, C., & Templin, J. (2018, November 05). These Toy Cars Help Kids With Disabilities Get Moving. Retrieved December 6, 2018, from http://nationswell.com/babiesdrivingracecars
- Hagberg, L., Hermansson, L., Fredriksson, C., & Pettersson, I. (2015). Cost-effectiveness of powered mobility devices for elderly people with disability. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 1-6. doi:10.3109/17483107.2014.1002540
- Office of Communications. (n.d.). The Drive to Explore. Retrieved December 6, 2018, from http://www1.udel.edu/researchmagazine/issue/vol3_no2/explore.html