Development of an obstacle course assessment of wheelchair user performance (OCAWUP): A content validity study

Abstract

The Obstacle Course Assessment of Wheelchair User Performance (OCAWUP) is a new tool designed to assess and document manual and motorized wheelchair user mobility performance in controlled environmental situations which are standardized and potentially difficult. The instrument is designed to cover environmental obstacles that are related to daily wheelchair use. In this paper, we present the methodology and results of the content validity process regarding the choice of items (obstacles) and development of the scoring system. The methodology comprises three steps: 1) determining obstacle categories through a literature review, 2) determining obstacles through a focus group and individual interviews, and 3) developing the scoring system through a focus group and individual interviews. The content validation triangulates three data sources: literature, opinions of experts (wheelchair users, occupational therapists and researchers) and Canadian norms for home adaptation. Consensuses were reached on the choice of categories and items, and the scoring system. According to various experts, the obstacles are representative of those encountered in daily activities and social roles. It is expected that the OCAWUP could help clinicians in their interventions with wheelchair users to improve their social participation. Other studies should be conducted to obtain more information about its validity and reliability properties.