Purpose: Because outcomes studies are known to facilitate effective use of funds, economic realities in lower-resource countries increase the need for outcome measures for wheelchair effectiveness in these areas. Effective use of funds based on evidence is especially needed since the level of wheelchair provision is low, and many wheelchairs are inappropriate for their intended users. There are very few existing wheelchair specific assistive technology outcome measures. The Wheelchair Satisfaction Questionnaire (WSQ) was designed to be a snapshot of a wheelchair user's level of satisfaction with their wheelchair. The current studies examined the development of the WSQ and its initial face and content validity.
Materials And Methods: The WSQ is comprised of 16 visual analogue scale questions; each question includes a qualitative explanatory comment. In study 1, 15 adult users of manual wheelchairs completed the WSQ and then the completed a follow-up questionnaire which collected feedback on each question. In study 2, 15 secondary school student users of manual wheelchairs in Kenya completed the same procedure used in study 1.
Results: High mean satisfaction scores on the follow-up questionnaire support face and content validity in both studies.
Conclusion: The WSQ has the potential to give wheelchair users a quantifiable voice on wheelchair function. Data obtained from the WSQ also has the potential to provide data from wheelchair users to wheelchair manufacturers and providers, leading to better design and provision.Implications for RehabilitationBased upon the score of a specific item, manufacturers could improve design of wheelchairs for use in lower-and-middle-income countries, and providers could be better-informed as to models sent to specific environments.The WSQ could provide evidence-based information to support improved provision and design.The WSQ could be used in a clinical setting over time to identify the most common interface problems in that particular setting.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2019.1684579 | DOI Listing |
Eur J Hum Genet
January 2025
Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
People from refugee and migrant backgrounds often face poor experiences and outcomes in healthcare, and genetic healthcare is no exception. Understanding whether and how these health inequities manifest is an important step towards equitable perinatal genetic screening for genetic or chromosomal conditions (offered preconception, prenatally, or during the newborn period). A scoping review was conducted to review international evidence of perceptions and experiences of perinatal genetic screening for people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant Physiol Biochem
January 2025
Centre for Nanobiotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic address:
The accumulation of disposable face masks (DFMs) has become a significant threat to the environment due to extensive use during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this research, we investigated the degradation of DFMs after their disposal in landfills. We replicated the potential degradation process of DFMs, including exposure to sunlight before subjecting them to synthetic landfill leachate (LL).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya (UM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of a questionnaire on patient acceptance of orthodontic retainers. The original questionnaire was forward- and backward-translated, followed by four validity tests (content validity, face validity, construct validity, criterion validity) and two reliability tests (test-retest reliability, internal consistency). Content validity was assessed by nine orthodontists who appraised the questionnaire's representativeness, relevance, clarity, and necessity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJMIR Ment Health
January 2025
Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Background: Digital interventions typically involve using smartphones or PCs to access online or downloadable self-help and may offer a more accessible and convenient option than face-to-face interventions for some people with mild to moderate eating disorders. They have been shown to substantially reduce eating disorder symptoms, but treatment dropout rates are higher than for face-to-face interventions. We need to understand user experiences and preferences for digital interventions to support the design and development of user-centered digital interventions that are engaging and meet users' needs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Cardiovasc Nurs
January 2025
Department of Family Medicine, Maastricht University, P. Debyeplein 1, 6229 HA Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Aims: Smartphone applications for heart rate and rhythm assessment are increasingly used for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the use of a photoplethysmography (PPG)-based smartphone application with subsequent (tele)consultations for AF management has been proven feasible in the TeleCheck-AF project, specific needs, and expectations of patients with AF are unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate patients' perspectives on the use of remote PPG-based electronical health (eHealth) integrated in regular care pathways for AF.
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