Enhancing participation with power-assist device: An exploratory study in manual wheelchair users

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the impact of acquiring a power-assist device on participation.

Design

Prospective multicenter cohort study.

Setting

Three physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient centers.

Participants

Eighteen individuals with neurological impairments who primarily use manual wheelchairs for mobility.

Intervention

Participants were followed throughout the process of acquiring a power-assisted mobility device, with assessments conducted at delivery, 3 months, and 6 months post-acquisition.

Main outcome measures

Participation (Wheelchair Outcome Measure), shoulder pain (Wheelchair User's Shoulder Pain Index), wheelchair skills (Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire), and satisfaction with the device (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology). Evaluations were performed at baseline (pre-acquisition), delivery, and at 3 and 6 months.

Results

Thirty-six participants were enrolled. Eighteen did not complete the study mostly due to funding difficulties and 18 completed the acquisition. Participation significantly increased, with WHOM scores rising from 19.33 ± 15.02 at baseline to 36.55 ± 17.06 at 3 months (p = 0.0001). WST-Q scores improved from 21.1 [19.9–23.7] at baseline to 25.2 [23.6–27.6] at 6 months (p = 0.0001). Although the overall WUSPI score did not change significantly, the mobility sub-score improved from 4.5 [0–9.2] at baseline to 0 [0–0] at 6 months (p = 0.03). Satisfaction with the device remained stable over time, with a consistent QUEST score of 3.3.

Conclusion

The acquisition of a power-assist device may enhance participation, wheelchair skills, and reduce mobility-related shoulder pain in manual wheelchair users. Further comparative studies are needed to confirm these findings.