Effects of standing ride-on car training on mobility and socialization in toddlers with mild and moderate motor delays: a pilot randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of ride-on car (ROC) training in a standing posture on mobility and socialization among toddlers with motor delays. Twenty-four participants were grouped into ROC training with mild delays (<i>n</i> = 9), ROC training with moderate delays (<i>n</i> = 7), conventional therapy with mild delays (<i>n</i> = 5), and conventional therapy with moderate delays (<i>n</i> = 3). Each group received two-hour sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week no-training follow-up period. ROC training included driving and manual exploring, while conventional therapy emphasized developmental skills. All groups significantly improved in mobility, socialization, and goal achievement at posttest and follow-up. Toddlers with mild delays tend to have greater mobility gains through ROC training, while those with moderate delays tend to benefit more through conventional therapy. Future studies should explore the impact of training dosage, caregiver engagement, and motor impairment severity on outcomes with larger sample sizes.