Lynn A. Worobey

Increases in wheelchair breakdowns, repairs, and adverse consequences for people with traumatic spinal cord injury.

Objective The aims of this study were to report the current incidence of wheelchair breakdowns, repairs, and consequences and to compare current data with historical data. Design A convenience sample survey of 723 participants with spinal cord injury who use a wheelchair for more than 40 hrs/wk treated at a Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems center was conducted. Results Significant increases were found in the number of participants reporting repairs (7.8%) and adverse consequences (23.5%) in a 6-mo period (2006–2011) compared with historical data (2004–2006) (P < 0.001). When examining current data, minorities experienced a greater frequency and higher number of reported consequences (P = 0.03). Power wheelchair users reported a higher number of repairs and consequences than did manual wheelchair users (P < 0.001). Wheelchairs equipped with seat functions were associated with a greater frequency of adverse consequences (P = 0.01). Repairs did not vary across funding source, but individuals with wheelchairs provided by Medicare and Medicaid reported a higher frequency of consequences than did the combined group of the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Worker’s Compensation, and the Veterans Administration (P = 0.034 and P = 0.013, respectively). Conclusions The incidence and consequences of repairs are increasing from what was already a very high statistic in this United States population. Further investigation into causality is required, and intervention is needed to reverse this potential trend.

Wheelchair Skills Capacity and Performance of Manual Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVES To describe the wheelchair skills capacity and performance of experienced manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to assess measurement properties of the Wheelchair Skills Test (WST) and Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q). DESIGN Cross-sectional descriptive study involving within-subject comparisons. SETTING Four Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems centers. PARTICIPANTS Manual wheelchair users with SCI (N=117). INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES WST and WST-Q version 4.2 as well as measures for Confidence, Basic Mobility, Independence, Ability to Participate, Satisfaction, and Pain Interference. RESULTS The median (interquartile range) values for WST capacity, WST-Q capacity, and WST-Q performance were 81.0% (69.0%-90.0%), 88.0% (77.0%-97.0%), and 76.0% (66.3%-84.0%). The total WST capacity scores correlated significantly with the total WST-Q capacity scores (r=.76; P<.01) and WST-Q performance scores (r=.55; P<.01). The total WST-Q capacity and WST-Q performance scores were correlated significantly (r=.63; P<.001). Success rates were <75% for 10 of the 32 (31%) individual skills on the WST and 6 of the 32 (19%) individual skills on the WST-Q. Regression models for the total WST and WST-Q measures identified statistically significant predictors including age, sex, body mass index, and/or level of injury. The WST and WST-Q measures correlated significantly with the Confidence, Basic Mobility, Independence, or Pain Interference measures. CONCLUSIONS Many people with SCI are unable to or do not perform some of the wheelchair skills that would allow them to participate more fully. More wheelchair skills training may enhance participation and quality of life of adults with SCI. The WST and WST-Q exhibit good content, construct, and concurrent validity.

Effectiveness of Group Wheelchair Skills Training for People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of group wheelchair skills training to elicit improvements in wheelchair skills. DESIGN Randomized double-blinded controlled trial. SETTING Four Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers. PARTICIPANTS Manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (N=114). INTERVENTION Six 90-minute group Wheelchair Skills Training Program (WSTP) classes or two 1-hour active control sessions with 6 to 10 people per group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Baseline (t1) and 1-month follow-up (t2) Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q) (Version 4.2) for capacity and performance and Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) score. RESULTS Follow-up was completed by 79 participants (WSTP: n=36, active control: n=43). No differences were found between missing and complete cases. Many users were highly skilled at baseline with a WST-Q capacity interquartile range of 77% to 97%. There were no differences between groups at baseline in WST-Q measures or demographics. Compared with the active control group, the WSTP group improved in WST-Q capacity advanced score (P=.02) but not in WST-Q capacity or WST-Q performance total scores (P=.068 and P=.873, respectively). The average GAS score (0% at t1) for the WSTP group at t2 was 65.6%±34.8%. Higher GAS scores and WST-Q capacity scores were found for those who attended more classes and had lower baseline skills. CONCLUSIONS Group training can improve advanced wheelchair skills capacity and facilitate achievement of individually set goals. Lower skill levels at baseline and increased attendance were correlated with greater improvement.

Differences Between Manufacturers in Reported Power Wheelchair Repairs and Adverse Consequences Among People With Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE To compare the frequency of power wheelchair (PWC) repairs and consequences experienced over a 6-month period by individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who use a PWC ≥40h/wk, based on manufacturer, seating functions, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) group, and model, and over time. DESIGN Convenience observational sample survey. SETTING Spinal Cord Injury Model System centers. PARTICIPANTS Individuals with SCI (N=945) who use a PWC ≥40h/wk. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of required wheelchair repairs and resulting consequences (ie, being stranded, missing work/school, or missing a medical appointment). RESULTS Rates of required repairs (47.6%-63.3%) and consequences (26.7%-40.7%) were high across manufacturers. Differences between manufacturers were found among PWCs without seating functions (P<.001-.008) and among group 2 wheelchairs (P=.007). Across the 10 most prescribed wheelchairs in this study, 54.5% to 73.9% of users required 1 or more repairs over a 6-month period. Increases in the number of repairs were also found for several PWC manufacturers with time. Differences were found in participant age, working status, years since injury, and presence of seating functions between manufacturers. CONCLUSIONS The differences found in the number of repairs reported by survey respondents based on PWC manufacturer and the increases in repairs over time require further evaluation.

Type and Frequency of Reported Wheelchair Repairs and Related Adverse Consequences Among People With Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE To investigate the frequency and types of wheelchair repairs and associated adverse consequences. DESIGN Convenience cross-sectional sample survey. SETTING Nine Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers. PARTICIPANTS People with spinal cord injury who use a wheelchair >40h/wk (N=591). INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of repairs needed and resulting adverse consequences, number and types of repairs completed, and location where main repair was completed in the previous 6 months. RESULTS There were 591 participants responded to the survey, 63.8% (377/591) of them needed ≥1 repair; of these, 27.6% (104/377) experienced ≥1 adverse consequence, including 18.2% (69/377) individuals who were stranded. Of those who needed repairs, 6.9% did not have them completed (26/377). Repairs completed on the wheels and casters were the most frequent repair to manual wheelchairs, whereas repairs to the electrical and power and control systems were the most frequent type of repair on power wheelchairs. Forty percent (79/201) of manual wheelchair users reported completing repairs at home themselves compared with 14% (21/150) of power wheelchair users. Twelve percent of the variance in the odds of facing an adverse consequence because of a wheelchair breakdown can be described as a function of occupation, funding source, and type of wheelchair. CONCLUSIONS Wheelchair repairs are highly prevalent. There are differences in types of repairs and who completes the repairs based on the type of wheelchair. Wheelchair breakdowns result in adverse consequences for users, and there is a deficit between repairs needed and those completed, highlighting the need for interventions that address these problems.

Development of a wheelchair maintenance training programme and questionnaire for clinicians and wheelchair users

Abstract Purpose of state: The aims of this study were to develop a Wheelchair Maintenance Training Programme (WMTP) as a tool for clinicians to teach wheelchair users (and caregivers when applicable) in a group setting to perform basic maintenance at home in the USA and to develop a Wheelchair Maintenance Training Questionnaire (WMT-Q) to evaluate wheelchair maintenance knowledge in clinicians, manual and power wheelchair users. Methods: The WMTP and WMT-Q were developed through an iterative process. Results: A convenience sample of clinicians (n = 17), manual wheelchair (n ∞ 5), power wheelchair users (n = 4) and caregivers (n = 4) provided feedback on the training programme. A convenience sample of clinicians (n = 38), manual wheelchair (n = 25), and power wheelchair users (n = 30) answered the WMT-Q throughout different phases of development. The subscores of the WMT-Q achieved a reliability that ranged between ICC(3,1) = 0.48 to ICC(3,1) = 0.89. The WMTP and WMT-Q were implemented with 15 clinicians who received in-person training in the USA using the materials developed and showed a significant increase in all except one of the WMT-Q subscores after the WMTP (p < 0.007). Conclusion: The WMTP will continue to be revised as it is further implemented. The WMT-Q is an acceptable instrument to measure pre- and post-training maintenance knowledge. Implications for Rehabilitation The Wheelchair Maintenance Training Program can be used to educate rehabilitation clinicians and technicians to improve wheelchair service and delivery to end users. This training complements the World Health Organization basic wheelchair service curriculum, which only includes training of the clinicians, but does not include detailed information to train wheelchair users and caregivers. This training program offers a time efficient method for providing education to end users in a group setting that may mitigate adverse consequences resulting from wheelchair breakdown. This training program has significant potential for impact among wheelchair users in areas where access to repair services is limited.

Reliability of freehand three-dimensional ultrasound to measure scapular rotations.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of using freehand three-dimensional ultrasound to measure scapular rotations (internal/external, upward/downward, anterior/posterior). The scapular position in 22 healthy, nondisabled individuals was imaged three times in four testing positions of interest (arm at rest and humeral elevation in the sagittal, frontal, and scapular planes). We found substantial reliability across scanning positions and scapular rotations, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.62 to 0.95. The highest reliability was found in the rest testing position. Our standard error of measurement was less than 2 degrees for all measurements and less than 0.5 degrees for most. Minimum detectable change ranged from 0.37 to 3.08 degrees. Our results agree with the pattern of movement found in other studies, with the scapula moving toward a more externally rotated, upwardly rotated, and posteriorly tilted position with humeral elevation. Further study is warranted to compare our methods to a gold standard, apply them to evaluating dynamic movement, and determine whether they can be used to detect shoulder pathology.

Effects of Repetitive Shoulder Activity on the Subacromial Space in Manual Wheelchair Users

This study investigated (1) the effect of repetitive weight-relief raises (WR) and shoulder external rotation (ER) on the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) among manual wheelchair users (MWUs) and (2) the relationship between shoulder pain, subject characteristics, and AHD changes. Twenty-three MWUs underwent ultrasound imaging of the nondominant shoulder in an unloaded baseline position and while holding a WR position before and after the WR/ER tasks. Paired t-tests and Spearman correlational analysis were used to assess differences in the AHD before and after each task and the relationships between pain, subject characteristics, and the AHD measures. A significant reduction in the subacromial space (P < 0.01) occurred when subjects performed a WR position compared to baseline. Individuals with increased years of disability had greater AHD percentage narrowing after WR (P = 0.008). Increased shoulder pain was associated with AHD percentage narrowing after ER (P ≤ 0.007). The results support clinical practice guidelines that recommend MWUs limit WR to preserve shoulder function. The isolated repetitive shoulder activity did not contribute to the changes of subacromial space in MWUs. The ultrasonographic measurement of the AHD may be a target for identifying future interventions that prevent pain.

Perfect—the Enemy of Good

Our article has limitations, which we thoroughly describe. However, as the article highlights, wheelchairs are requiring repairs much too often, the repairs are causing significant consequences for users, and the problem is getting worse. The commentary concludes that producing a strong study will be difficult and of limited value, but offers no call for better, larger studies or suggestions for improvements. We believe there is much to be learned from our data, and our conclusion is that we need to do better. We need more information, larger cohorts, and better methods. It is the best way to cause changes that will positively impact the millions of wheelchair users around the world.

Spinal Cord Injury–Functional Index/Assistive Technology Short Forms

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spinal Cord Injury-Functional Index/Assistive Technology (SCI-FI/AT) short forms (SFs) in the domains of basic mobility, self-care, fine motor function, and ambulation based on internal consistency; correlations between SFs and full item banks, and a 10-item computerized adaptive test (CAT) version; magnitude of ceiling and floor effects; and measurement precision across a broad range of function in a sample of adults with spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN Cross-sectional cohort study. SETTING Nine national Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems programs. PARTICIPANTS A sample of adults with traumatic SCI (N=460) stratified by level of injury (paraplegia/tetraplegia), completeness of injury, and time since SCI. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES SCI-FI/AT full item bank, 10-item CAT, and SFs (with separate Self-Care and Fine Motor Function SFs for persons with tetraplegia and paraplegia). RESULTS The SCI-FI/AT SFs demonstrated very good internal consistency, group-level reliability, and excellent correlations between SFs and scores based on the CAT version and the total item bank. Ceiling and floor effects are acceptable (except for unacceptable ceiling effects for persons with paraplegia on the Self-Care and Fine Motor Function SFs). The test information functions are excellent across a broad range of functioning typical of persons with paraplegia and tetraplegia. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians and researchers should consider using the SCI-FI/AT SFs to assess functioning with the use of assistive technology when CAT applications are not available.