Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Powered Wheelchair Impact – User-Centered Observational Study

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
XV Mediterranean Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing – MEDICON 2019 (MEDICON 2019)

Part of the book series: IFMBE Proceedings ((IFMBE,volume 76))

Abstract

There is a growing prevalence of disability worldwide, which indicates an increasing number of persons who might benefit from assistive technologies. The purpose of this observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study is to assess the psychosocial and participation impact of powered wheelchairs (PW). From May to October 2017, 30 powered wheelchair users were interviewed using the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) scale, the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) and the Activities and Participation Profile Related to Mobility (PAPM) scale, in addition to some demographic, clinical and powered wheelchair related questions. Descriptive and correlational statistics were performed to analyze the data. The participants were satisfied with both AT and related services, with the lowest QUEST scores belonging to those who had been using their wheelchairs for a longer period of time. PAPM scores revealed significant restrictions in participation mostly among users with longer wheelchair utilization. The most satisfied were the ones with better performance in terms of social participation. The psychosocial impact, in terms of adaptability, was higher among users who transitioned from a manual to a PW compared to those who already had a PW. There was an overall positive psychosocial impact of the powered wheelchairs, and, potentially, an increase in the quality of life of the users. There’s a lack of research in this area, specifically to evaluate the impact of the environmental barriers on the social participation and on the quality of life of powered wheelchair users.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. WHO (World Health Organization): International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. In: International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, vol. 26, pp. 1–3, 123–134, 168–170 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  2. WHO: World report on disability 2011. Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. Assoc. Acad. Physiatr, vol. 91, p. 549 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Brandt, Å., Kreiner, S., Iwarsson, S.: Mobility-related participation and user satisfaction: construct validity in the context of powered wheelchair use. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 5(5), 305–313 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. WHO: The World Bank. Disability – a global picture. http://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/report/en/index.html. Accessed 25 Apr 2019

  5. Martins, A., Pinheiro, J., Farias, B., Jutai, J.: Psychosocial impact of assistive technologies for mobility and their implications for active ageing. Technologies 4(3), 28 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Salminen, A.L., Brandt, Å., Samuelsson, K., Töytäri, O., Malmivaara, A.: Mobility devices to promote activity and participation: a systematic review. J. Rehabil. Med. 41, 697–706 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Samuelsson, K., Wressle, E.: Powered wheelchairs and scooters for outdoor mobility: a pilot study on costs and benefits. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 9(4), 330–334 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Evans, S., Frank, A.O., Neophytou, C., de Souza, L.: Older adults’ use of, and satisfaction with, electric powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs. Age Ageing 36(4), 431–435 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Pettersson, I., Ahlström, G., Törnquist, K.: The value of an outdoor powered wheelchair with regard to the quality of life of persons with stroke: a follow-up study. Assist. Technol. 19(3), 143–153 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Buning, M.E., Angelo, J.A., Schmeler, M.R.: Occupational performance and the transition to powered mobility: a pilot study. Am. J. Occup. Ther. 55(3), 339–344 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Fehr, L., Langbein, W., Skaar, S.: Adequacy of power wheelchair control interfaces for persons with severe disabilities: a clinical survey. J. Rehabil. Res. Dev. 37(3), 353–360 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Rodrigues, S.: Validação intercultural do instrumento de medição - Evaluation de la Satisfaction envers une Aide Technique, versão 2.0. Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Coimbra (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Demers, L.: An international content validation of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST). Occup. Ther. Int. 6(3), 159–175 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Martins, A.: Adaptação cultural e linguística da versão portuguesa do PIADS: Escala do impacto psicossocial das tecnologias de apoio (P-PIADS). Integrar 21–22, 120–124 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Martins, A.: Development and initial validation of the activities and participation profile related to mobility (PAPM). BMC Health Serv. Res. 16, 78–79 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Jutai, J., Day, H.: Psychosocial impact of assistive devices scale (PIADS). Technol. Disabil. 14, 107–111 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. de Groot, S., Post, M.W., Bongers-Janssen, H.M., Bloemen-Vrencken, J.H., van der Woude, L.H.: Is manual wheelchair satisfaction related to active lifestyle and participation in people with a spinal cord injury? Spinal Cord 49(4), 560–565 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Chan, S.C., Chan, A.P.: User satisfaction, community participation and quality of life among Chinese wheelchair users with spinal cord injury: a preliminary study. Occup. Ther. Int. 14(3), 123–143 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Devitt, R., Chau, B., Jutai, J.: The effect of wheelchair use on the quality of life of persons with multiple sclerosis. Occup. Ther. Health Care 17(3/4), 63–79 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Löfqvist, C., Pettersson, C., Iwarsson, S., Brandt, A.: Mobility and mobility-related participation outcomes of powered wheelchair and scooter interventions after 4-months and 1-year use. Disabil. Rehabil. Assist. Technol. 7(3), 211–218 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Hemmingsson, H., Lidstrom, H., Nygard, L.: Use of assistive technology devices in mainstream schools: students’ perspective. Am. J. Occup. Ther 63(4), 463–472 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Parette, P., Scherer, M.: Assistive technology use and stigma. Educ. Train. Dev. Disabil. 39, 217–226 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  23. World Health Organization. WHOQOL - Measuring Quality of Life. http://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/whoqolqualityoflife/en/. Accessed 25 Apr 2019

  24. Davies, A., De Souza, L.H., Frank, A.O.: Changes in the quality of life in severely disabled people following provision of powered indoor/outdoor chairs. Disabil. Rehabil. 25(6), 286–290 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3046-854, Coimbra, Portugal

    Inês Domingues, João Pinheiro & João Silveira

  2. Physiotherapy Department, IPC ESTeSC Coimbra Health School, Coimbra, Portugal

    Anabela Correia Martins

Authors
  1. Inês Domingues
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. João Pinheiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. João Silveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Anabela Correia Martins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Inês Domingues .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Jorge Henriques

  2. Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal

    Nuno Neves

  3. University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Paulo de Carvalho

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Domingues, I., Pinheiro, J., Silveira, J., Martins, A.C. (2020). Powered Wheelchair Impact – User-Centered Observational Study. In: Henriques, J., Neves, N., de Carvalho, P. (eds) XV Mediterranean Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing – MEDICON 2019. MEDICON 2019. IFMBE Proceedings, vol 76. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31635-8_115

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31635-8_115

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-31634-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-31635-8

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation