IndieTrainer: Enabling Individuals With Cerebral Palsy to Receive Power Mobility Training

IndieTrainer: Enabling Individuals With Cerebral Palsy to Receive Gamified Power Mobility Training in Their Own Manual Wheelchairs

Power wheelchairs offer children who are unable to independently opportunities for participation in social, educational, and leisure activities. Unfortunately, children who have severe cognitive, motor, or sensory impairments may need extended training to be able to master the power wheelchairs skills needed to "qualify" for their own power wheelchairs. The IndieTrainer system was developed to address this need. The IndieTrainer system is comprised of the IndieGo device and video-game modules. The IndieGo device temporarily converts a manual wheelchair into a powered wheelchair, thereby allowing children to remain in their own manual wheelchair and use their own custom seating system during power wheelchair skills training activities. The video-game modules are integrated into the IndieGo device such that the video games can be played on a television screen using the specific access method used to control the IndieGo (i.e., switch or joystick). The IndieTrainer system is designed to allow a child to practice power wheelchair skills as part of the video-game modules or as part of more traditional power wheelchair skills training activities wherein children are able to actively explore the environment and practice executing actual wheelchair skills. This study will evaluate the use of the IndieTrainer system in children with cerebral palsy, ages 3-21 years.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or similar conditions with functional abilities consistent with a Gross Motor Classification System Classification System Level IV or Level V
• Inability to functionally self-propel a manual wheelchair
• Does not have an individually prescribed powered wheelchair
• Currently using a manual wheelchair or adaptive stroller that can be safely used with the IndieTrainer system (i.e., functioning wheel brakes to remain locked onto platform, etc.) as assessed by the PI
• Has at least one parent/caregiver who is able to converse in English (as assessed by the PI during interactions over the phone and in person) due to safety concerns

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any condition or issue that would prevent a child from safely using the IndieTrainer system as determined by the PI, a licensed physical therapist.

• The child and his/her manual wheelchair or adaptive stroller combined must weigh <300 pounds to safely use the IndieTrainer.

  • A diagnosis of a progressive condition with the potential for functional decline across the study period, such as spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, etc.