Drivin’ Donuts: Using Ride-On Toys to Enhance Upper Extremity Outcomes in Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Purpose: We assessed potential benefits of an intervention combining ride-on-toy navigation training (RNT) and structured upper extremity play activities (SUPA) added to usual care relative to usual care only on affected upper extremity (UE) function in unilateral cerebral palsy. Methods: Fifteen children (3–8 years) participated in a 19-week, single-arm trial involving baseline testing (T0), 6-week usual care only phase, preintervention testing (T1), 6-week intervention phase (RNT + SUPA plus usual care), postintervention testing (T2), and 4-week retention test (T3). Children received RNT + SUPA 3–4 sessions/week. Outcome measures included the Shriners Hospital Upper Extremity Evaluation, Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test, ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire, and video-based measures. Results: Compared with Usual Care Only, RNT + SUPA combined with usual care was associated with short-term improvements in spontaneous and independent affected UE use during bimanual tasks on researcher-rated and parent-reported measures. Conclusions: We found preliminary evidence suggesting potential benefit of a community-based, caregiver-supported RNT + SUPA program.