Explorer Mini: Infants' Initial Experience with a Novel Pediatric Powered Mobility Device.

AIMS: The purpose of this study is to describe the driving experience and emotional responses of young children who experience mobility limitations during initial use of the Explorer Mini, a new pediatric powered mobility device.

METHODS

The current study utilized a descriptive, cross-sectional, and mixed- method approach. Thirty-three young children between 6 and 36 months of age who experience mobility limitations participated in this study and were provided up to two, 15-minute driving sessions with the Explorer Mini. Researchers completed an observation form that included field notes (qualitative data) and answers to yes/no questions to generate percentages of observed behaviors (quantitative data) regarding young children's driving experience and emotional responses while using the Explorer Mini.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis from field notes (i.e., qualitative data) revealed two inter-related themes: 1) I can move, 2) I think I like it- don't I? Ninety four percent (i.e., quantitative data) of young children were able to move the Explorer Mini to explore their environment.

CONCLUSIONS

Young children demonstrated self-initiated mobility with a powered mobility device using the midline joystick. The results support the notion that infants 6-36 months can effectively use the Explorer Mini. The device received Food and Drug Administration 510k clearance in February 2020.