Article

PURPOSE: To evaluate the test-retest reliability, concurrent validity and
responsiveness of the Wheelchair Skills Test - Questionnaire (WST-Q) Version 4.1 for powered wheelchair users. METHODS:
A volunteer sample of 72
community-dwelling, experienced powered wheelchair users, ranging in age from 50
to 77 years, participated in this study. Participants completed measures at
baseline and 1 month later. RESULTS: Mean +/- standard deviation total percentage
WST-Q scores at baseline and 1 month were 83.7% +/- 10.9 and 86.3% +/- 10.0
respectively. Cronbach's alpha was 0.90 and the 1 month test-retest intraclass
correlation coefficient (ICC1,1) was 0.78 (confidence interval: 0.68-0.86). There
were no floor or ceiling effects. Percentages of agreement between baseline and 1
month for individual skills ranged from 72.2% to 100%. The correlations between
the WST-Q and the objective Wheelchair Skills Test (WST), WheelCon and Life Space
Assessment were r = 0.65, r = 0.47 and r = 0.47 respectively. The standard error
of measurement (SEM) and smallest real difference (SRD) were 5.0 and 6.2
respectively. CONCLUSION: The WST-Q 4.1 has high internal consistency, strong
test-retest reliability and strong support for concurrent validity and
responsiveness. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: There is evidence of
reliability, validity and responsiveness of the Wheelchair Skills Test -
Questionnaire (WST-Q) among experienced older adult powered wheelchair users. The
WST-Q can be used to measure powered wheelchair skills, guide intervention and
measure change over time.

Langue : ANGLAIS