Article

OBJECTIVES: To determine the features most frequently selected in a power
wheelchair (PWC), level of satisfaction with the selections, and how often the
PWC features are used by patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS)/motor neuron disease (MND). DESIGN: Internally generated questionnaire.
SETTING: An ALS/Muscular Dystrophy Association center. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience
sample of current patients (N=45) of our clinic with ALS/MND who are PWC users
(men, n=27; women, n=18; age range, 27-85 y).
INTERVENTION: Self-administered
survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Thirty-two patients completed a 31-question survey
investigating patients' patterns of selection, satisfaction, and frequency of PWC
use; technical and psychometric influences; and other aspects of decision-making
processes that patients experience before, during, and after acquiring a PWC.
RESULTS: Ninety percent of respondents received their evaluations at a
multidisciplinary ALS clinic, 1 via the Department of Veterans Affairs, and 1 was
unknown. Sixty-six percent of patients thought the chair evaluation was timed
correctly, and 19% wished they had started sooner. Forty-five percent of people
were able to walk a few steps, and 55% were able to stand when their chairs
arrived. When they first received the chair, 79% were satisfied with the overall
comfort of the chair, and 86% were satisfied with the ease of use; currently, 69%
are satisfied with the overall comfort, and 72% are satisfied with ease of use.
There was a statistically significant difference in how patients used their
wheelchair features initially and currently in terms of seat elevate and
attendant control, but not tilt, recline, and elevating leg rests. The average
cost for the power chairs was $26,404 (range, $19,376-$34,311), and the average
cost a month is $917. Overall, 88% of respondents said they would get the same
type of chair with the same features again, and 81% felt that the chair was a good value for the cost. CONCLUSIONS: We obtained first-hand knowledge from 32
patients with ALS/MND who are current PWC users on their use and satisfaction
with their PWCs from initial to current use. Based on this survey, patients with
ALS/MND seen for their wheelchair evaluation with experienced clinicians exhibit
high use and satisfaction with their PWCs.
CI - Copyright 2010 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS