Powered mobility training with modified ride-on cars is an innovative intervention option that aims to improve the body functions and participation of children with severe disabilities. In addition to enabling self-initiated mobility, training can result in learning gains in ride-on car use and attainment of rehabilitation goals. Due to their severe motor and cognitive impairment, children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) may benefit from interventions with modified powered ride-on cars, as such devices are more cost-effective when compared to motorized wheelchairs.

To describe the results of a powered mobility intervention with modified motorized ride-on cars for children with CZS, considering the outcomes of goal attainment and mobility learning.

This is a pilot study with 12 weeks of intervention and 4 weeks of follow-up. The intervention was guided by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist and consisted of training sessions with modified ride-on cars, lasting 40 minutes, three times a week, at the Clínica Escola de Fisioterapia da Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde do Trairi (FACISA), in Santa Cruz-RN. The outcomes of interest were mobility learning, assessed using the “Assessment of the Use of Motorized Mobility (ALP)-version 2.0” scale and the attainment of rehabilitation goals, assessed using the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS). Assessments were performed by previously trained independent examiners at weeks 0, 8, 12 e 16.

Four children with CZS participated, two males, aged between 3 and 6 years, three were classified as level V and one as level IV in the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). All had moderate to severe intellectual disability, and two associated visual impairment. After the 12 weeks of intervention with powered ride-on cars, changes in mobility learning were observed, with an increment of one or two points in ALP, and clinically significant changes in GAS scores, when compared to week 0, in all participants.

The intervention with modified powered ride-on cars was potentially capable of increasing learning in motorized mobility and contributing to the achievement of rehabilitation goals in children with CZS. We suggest the development of clinical trials to explore the effects of the intervention on functional gains and participation of children with CZS.

The study presents a fun and low-cost intervention option, through powered mobility training with motorized ride-on cars for children with CZS and severe motor and cognitive impairment, which can be implemented in the child's natural context. In addition, the work contributes to fostering future intervention studies and contributing to evidence-based clinical practice for children with CZS in Brazil.