Article

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics across all ages of powered wheelchair
users and the assistive technology prescribed by a regional specialist wheelchair
service. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Regional wheelchair service.
PARTICIPANTS: Electric-powered indoor/outdoor wheelchair (EPIOC) users (N=544)
with 262 boys and men (mean age +/- SD, 41.7+/-20.7y; range, 8-82y) and 282 girls
and women (mean age +/- SD, 47.2+/-19.7y; range, 7-92y). INTERVENTIONS: Not
applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic, clinical/diagnostic details of
EPIOC recipients, including pain, (kypho)scoliosis, and ventilators. Technical
features, including specialized (adaptive) seating, tilt in space, and modified
control systems. Factors were related to age groups: 1 (0-15y), 2 (16-24y), 3
(25-54y), 4 (55-74y), and 5 (>/=75y). RESULTS: Neurologic/neuromuscular
conditions predominated (81%) with cerebral palsy (18.9%) and multiple sclerosis
(16.4%). Conditions presenting at birth or during childhood constituted 39%. Of
the participants, 99 had problematic pain, 83 had (kypho)scoliosis, and 11 used
ventilators. Specialized (adaptive) seating was provided to 169 users (31%); most
had cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. Tilt in space was used by 258 (53%)
participants. Younger people were more likely to receive tilt in space than older
ones. Only 92 had specialized (adaptive) seating and tilt in space (mean age +/-
SD, 29+/-17.8y; range, 8-72y). Of the participants, 52 used modified control systems. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of EPIOC users across age and diagnostic
groups is shown. Their complex interrelations with these technical features of
EPIOC prescriptions are explored. Younger users were more complex because of
age-related changes.
This study provides outcomes of the EPIOC prescription for
this heterogeneous group of very severely disabled people.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS