Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation among the measures in a power wheelchair
outcomes toolkit. DESIGN: We performed path analysis of cross-sectional data from
self-report questionnaires and 1 objective measure.
SETTING: Six sites.
PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of power wheelchair users (N=128). Most (n=69;
53.9%) participants were women. Multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury/disease
were the most common diagnoses. INTERVENTIONS:
Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: The power wheelchair version of the Wheelchair Skills Test version 4.1
was used to carry out an objective evaluation of capacity to perform 32
wheelchair skills. The Late-Life Disability Index measured frequency of
participation in 16 life activities. The Life-Space Assessment measured
independence, extent, and frequency of mobility. The Assistive Technology
Outcomes Profile for Mobility was used to assess perceived difficulty performing
activity and participation using assistive technology. The Wheelchair Use
Confidence Scale for powered wheelchair users captured users' self-efficacy with
wheelchair use. RESULTS: Wheelchair confidence was independently associated with
less difficulty with activity (beta=.028, P=.002) and participation (beta=.225,
P<.001), increased life space (beta=.095, P<.003), and greater wheelchair skills
(beta=.30, P<.001). Less perceived difficulty with activity was independently
associated with increased frequency of participation (beta=.55, P<.001).
Life-space mobility was independently associated with increased frequency of
participation (beta=.167, P<.001). Less difficulty with participation was
independently associated with greater life-space mobility (beta=.59, P<.001) and
greater frequency of participation (beta=.13, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study
provides empirical support for the measures included as part of the power
wheelchair outcomes toolkit. They appear to provide complementary information on
a variety of constructs related to power wheelchair use.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS