Investigation of stakeholder perceptions of the wheelchair service delivery process.

The wheelchair service delivery process (SDP) is a large complex system and therefore has many potential points of failure; determining priorities for improvement is challenging. The complexities introduce several barriers to accessing and maintaining wheelchairs for individuals with mobility impairments. Given the breadth and depth of the barriers, it is important to know in which areas to focus future policy reform efforts.

Wheelchair user's perceived access to maintenance and repair services: a qualitative study.

Purpose: Wheelchairs and associated seating and positioning systems require maintenance and repair services to sustain essential functions for wheelchair users. This study aims to amplify wheelchair users' opinions and experiences related to their perceived access to crucial wheelchair maintenance and repair services.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with four full-time wheelchair users using five semi-structured interview questions.

Telerehabilitation for New Wheelchair Evaluations: A Retrospective Study of Patient Characteristics.

The purpose of this paper was to describe the clinical and personal factors of persons with disabilities (PwD) seeking a new wheelchair evaluation via telerehabilitation compared to in-person appointments. This retrospective cohort analysis used the Functional Mobility Assessment and Uniform Dataset, which is a nationwide registry with ongoing enrollment at 31 clinical sites of PwD seeking a new wheelchair evaluation. PwD were stratified into either a Telerehabilitation Group or In-Person Group.

Falls in people with mobility limitations: a cross-sectional analysis of a US registry of assistive device users.

To (1) summarise the personal and clinical characteristics of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the US who were evaluated for mobility assistive equipment (MAE) in the functional mobility assessment and uniform dataset (FMA/UDS) and (2) stratify subpopulations of PwD who reported falling versus those who do not report a fall. This study was a retrospective, descriptive cohort analysis of adults with disabilities using the FMA/UDS. Data are collected during a user's initial evaluation for a new mobility device.

Test-Retest Reliability of the Electronic Instrumental activities of daily living Satisfaction Assessment (EISA): A Cohort Study.

Importance: Currently, no self-report instruments exist for assessing satisfaction with performing instrumental activities of daily living and occupations for people with disabilities using internet-connected assistive devices like accessible smartphones, tablets, laptops, and apps.

Objective: To assess the test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the Electronic Instrumental activities of daily living Satisfaction Assessment (EISA) self-report outcome tool.

Design: Repeated-measures cohort study with a time frame of 7 to 21 days.

Common reasons for non-participation during the outcome measurement process: wheeled mobility service delivery quality improvement reporting.

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to describe non-participation during the outcome measurement step of the wheeled mobility service delivery process (WMSDP) based on the Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA)-Uniform Dataset (UDS) Registry.

Introduction: The WMSDP is a standard framework for the provision of wheeled mobility devices, and several factors influence the client's experience throughout the process. Patient-reported outcomes are one way to measure the client's experience as part of a quality improvement program.

Estimating power wheelchair battery lifespan based on real-world data.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to: (1) estimate battery lifespan in power wheelchairs (PWCs) as measured by the length of time until battery replacement occurs and (2) identify factors associated with variability in battery lifespan after device distribution.

Materials And Methods: PWCs distributed between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2018 were retrieved from the Wheelchair Repair Registry (WRR) and included into this retrospective cohort study. Factors associated with battery lifespan were examined with the stratified Cox proportional hazard model.

Functional mobility, employment and safety benefits of seat elevating devices.

Status Of Research Process: Study completed.

Involvement Of Assistive Technology Users: Participants were power wheelchair users.

A cross-sectional descriptive analysis of complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) supplier opinions on the current state of wheelchair repair services.

Purpose: It is documented that wheelchair failures occur frequently, repair times are lengthy, and users often experience adverse consequences. This study aims to gather evidence on efficiency of current wheelchair repair processes from the perspective of complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) suppliers who perform repairs within the United States.

Materials And Methods: A 20 statement survey was developed to identify barriers and facilitators related to wheelchair repairs across the domains of administrative and operational factors as well as to identify future opportunities for improvement.

Service delivery for complex rehabilitation technology: a scoping review.

Purpose: Complex rehabilitation technologies (CRT) support independence for individuals with disabilities by enabling mobility for function, employment, education, and independent living. CRT service delivery is evolving, with changes to funding, provider qualifications, consumer needs, and technological advances. This scoping review investigated service delivery processes for individuals with disabilities who have a mobility impairment, while specifically identifying best practices, barriers, and unique features of health delivery policies and practices.

Investigation of factors from assistive technology professionals that impact timeliness of wheelchair service delivery: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with variability in time from assessment to device delivery (cycle time). Our hypothesis was that device type and type of insurance would be the strongest predictor of cycle time.

Materials And Methods: Data were extracted from the Functional Mobility Assessment/Uniform Dataset (FMA/UDS) Registry that at the time of analysis contained a sample of 2588 people with disabilities (PWD) who were provided with a wheeled mobility device (WMD) between 21 March 2016 and 29 June 2021.

A descriptive analysis of wheelchair repair registry data.

Wheeled mobility and seating (WMS) devices allow users to achieve greater mobility independence. Previous studies determined that 53% of wheelchair users required one or more repairs over a 6-month period; however, there are a limited number of studies that have evaluated types of repairs. The purpose of this study was to describe the types of manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, and scooter repairs within the Wheelchair Repair Registry (WRR) and examine the association between WMS devices and the frequency of repairs.

Face validity of standardized assessments for wheeled mobility & seating evaluations.

A problem in the Complex Rehabilitation Technology industry is the lack of standardization in the assessment for wheeled mobility and seating (WMS). The aim of this paper was to identify assessment tools commonly used by clinicians during WMS evaluations. After the tools were identified by a panel of 12 subject matter experts, a presentation at the 2018 International Seating Symposium in Vancouver, Canada and the 2018 European Seating Symposium in Dublin, Ireland polled attendees via the Sli.

Development and content validation of the Electronic Instrumental activities of daily living Satisfaction Assessment (EISA) outcome tool.

This study describes the development and content validation of the Electronic Instrumental activities of daily living Satisfaction Assessment (EISA), a self-report outcome measure for assessing satisfaction with completing instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) for People With Disabilities (PWD) using internet-Connected Assistive Devices (iCAD). For this study, an iCAD is defined as any information communication technology/electronic device or software that assists with promoting, maintaining, and/or enhancing the ability of a PWD to live independently in society. Phase 1 of development involved generating an initial item pool based on a literature review.

Effect of the Assistive Technology Professional on the Provision of Mobility Assistive Equipment.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with variability in satisfaction with functional mobility (as measured by the Functional Mobility Assessment [FMA]) in users of mobility devices. Our primary hypothesis was that device type and Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) involvement will be the most significant predictors of FMA score. Our secondary hypothesis was that ATP involvement is associated with use of more custom-fitted manual wheelchairs and group 3 and 4 power wheelchairs.

Development of a Home-Based Telerehabilitation Service Delivery Protocol for Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Within the Veterans Health Administration.

Introduction: The provision of seating and wheeled mobility devices is a complex process that requires trained professionals and multiple appointments throughout the service delivery process. However, this can be inconvenient and burdensome for individuals with mobility limitations or for individuals who live in rural areas. Rural areas often present unique difficulties regarding the provision of healthcare services including lengthy travel times to medical facilities and lack of specialized providers and medical technology.

Functional Mobility Outcomes in Telehealth and In-Person Assessments for Wheeled Mobility Devices.

The purpose of this study was to compare telehealth and in-person service delivery models for wheeled mobility devices in terms of functional outcomes. We hypothesized that clinically significant improvements in functional mobility measured by the Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) will occur in individuals receiving both telehealth and in-person clinic evaluations. A total of 27 Veterans receiving telehealth visits were compared to 27 individuals seen in clinic, selected from a database, matching for age, gender, and primary diagnosis.

Veteran and Provider Satisfaction with a Home-Based Telerehabilitation Assessment for Wheelchair Seating and Mobility.

The objective of this project was to measure Veteran and provider satisfaction with a home-based telerehabilitation assessment for wheelchair seating and mobility. Forty-three Veterans were seen remotely at their place of residence by a provider, using a VA Video Connect synchronous videoconferencing system. Veteran and provider satisfaction were collected using the Telerehabilitation Questionnaire (TRQ).

Demographic and Functional Characteristics of National Veterans Wheelchair Games Participants: A Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Although many studies report the impact of adaptive sports and recreation on quality of life for people with disabilities across several age groups, few have focused on the Veteran population. The purpose of this study was to establish a baseline of common characteristics of the Veteran population that participated in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) in 2017 and 2018, including their perception on how their participation is associated with function and social factors.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was implemented as part of a quality assurance collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh and the Veterans Administration National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events.

Preliminary steps of the development of a Minimum Uniform Dataset applicable to the international wheelchair sector.

Assistive products outcomes are needed globally to inform policy, practice, and drive investment. The International Society of Wheelchair Professionals developed a Minimum Uniform Dataset (MUD) for wheelchair services worldwide with the intent to gather data that is comparable globally. The MUD was developed with the participation of members from around the globe and its feasibility piloted at 3 sites.

Exploratory Review: Self-Report IADL Assessments in the age of Internet-Connected Assistive Devices.

Internet-Connected Assistive Devices (iCAD), like accessible smartphones, tablets, computers, and apps, have become an integral part of everyday functioning for people with disabilities (PWD). The objective of this article was to identify self-report assessments having the relevance and clinical applicability for assessing satisfaction with performing Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) for PWD using iCAD. An exploratory review was conducted to identify self-report assessments that were appropriate, practical, clinically fit, and psychometrically acceptable, for assessing satisfaction with performing IADLs for PWD using iCAD.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Face Validity of the Functional Mobility Assessment into Brazilian Portuguese.

Unlabelled: . The Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) measures satisfaction with mobility devices in daily life. However, in Brazil, there is a lack of instruments which measure functional mobility.

Information communication technology-enabled instrumental activities of daily living: a paradigm shift in functional assessment.

Information Communication Technology, such as smartphones, apps, the internet, etc., has become all-pervasive in our society. To learn the impact of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on everyday functioning, specifically Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), an exploratory review was undertaken.

Functional mobility assessment is reliable and correlated with satisfaction, independence and skills.

Mobility is essential for activities of daily living and therapists should give priority to evaluate its effects in their client's performance. We aimed to ascertain the intra- and inter-rater reliability of Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) and to identify correlations among satisfaction, independence, and skills in 44 users of manual wheelchairs and three users of powered wheelchairs. We analyzed the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the FMA in a sample of 47 wheelchair users using the Cronbach's Alpha.

Evaluation of Service Delivery Effectiveness Through Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.

Objective: The aims of the study were to report the demographic characteristics and functional mobility for individuals accessing an academic medical center mobility device clinic and to compare functional mobility data across demographic characteristics and mobility device type.

Design: This study used a retrospective, cross-sectional design. Demographic, mobility type, and patient-reported outcome measure data for 833 clients were analyzed.