RObotic WAlking for children who CAnnot WAlk (RoWaCaWa): feasibility and family impacts and perspectives of a family-led intervention
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the feasibility, impacts, and perspectives of a family-led robotic walking intervention.Materials & Methods This single-arm interventional study recruited participants aged ≥4 years with neuromotor impairments. Participants were lent a robotic walker and recommended to use at least 150 min/week for 12-weeks. Robotic walking use, acceptability, practicality and adverse events were tracked. Family goals were measured before and after training period using Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Quality of life was examined using EQ-5D-Y, Carer-QoL, and CP-CHILD. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (median (25th-75th percentile)) and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Qualitative interviews captured family perspectives and were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results 15 participants aged 4-23 completed this study. Participants trained 5 (3.5-6) times for 150(82-181) minutes and took 7,544(4,640–9,575) steps each week. Adverse events occurred in
Fields of Study & Subjects
Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Robotics
Assistive Technology in Communication and Mobility
Robotic Locomotion and Control
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Disability and Rehabilitation
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Pages
- 1–20
- Publication date
- 30 April 2026
- Language
- EN