Rehabilitation Engineering
Online ISSN : 2433-748X
Print ISSN : 1342-3444
Documentation and analysis of the introduction of powered mobility devices in children with mental and physical disabilities
Hitomi FUJITA
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2025 Volume 40 Issue 2 Pages 113-117

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Abstract

  As highlighted in the special feature ”Electric Wheelchairs Expanding Possibilities” in the 2023 issue of this journal, there is a growing advocacy for developmentally oriented support for self-mobility in children who experience difficulties moving independently. To facilitate the widespread adoption of electric wheelchairs, it is essential to establish relevant legislation and verify implementation through the accumulation of case studies. This study aimed to objectively visualize the process by which a child with Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy became proficient at using a powered mobility device. After approximately 13 months of use, the child demonstrated the ability to operate the device and move independently. The observed changes in cognitive and communicative aspects during this acquisition process reflect broader human developmental milestones, revealing impacts that extend beyond mere mobility.

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© 2025 Rehabilitation Engineering Society of JAPAN (RESJA)
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