Assessing the influence of wheelchair on individuals with spinal cord injury using a measure of participation

The purpose of the first study was to investigate the effect of manual and power wheelchairs on the frequency of community activities of individuals with varying levels of spinal cord injury (SCI). One hundred and five individuals with SCI who use wheelchairs for mobility provided participated in the final analysis. A written survey that recorded assistive technology (AT) usage in daily activities, called Participation Survey/Mobility (PARTS/M), was distributed among clients from Pittsburgh and Saint Louis. Results showed that individuals who use power wheelchairs visit their friends and dine out much less than individuals who use manual wheelchairs. In addition, individuals with tetraplegia reported going to the doctor's office less frequently than individuals with paraplegia. Therefore, individuals with SCI with varied level of injury and different mobility devices, experience different types of frequencies of public places and community participation.;The purpose of the third study was to investigate if the acquisition of new manual and power wheelchairs delivered by specialized AT clinic will change the frequency of participating in activities within the community of individuals with SCI and reduce the number of perceived limitations to participation over time. No significant difference between participants who received new wheelchairs delivered by specialized AT clinic and those who have received new equipment from a non-specialized AT clinic on the perception of frequency of community activities, satisfaction of community activities and number of physical and social barriers were found. The process of wheelchair service delivery has been shown to play an essential role in wheelchair related outcomes. However, the wheelchair service delivery may just be one of the factors that affect the individual's community participation.;The purpose of the fourth study was to investigate if there is a correlation between mobility characteristics (distance traveled, speed, number of starts and stops and drive time) and the frequency of community activities of individuals with SCI as measured by the PARTS/M and data logger device. A significant negative correlation (r=-.783, p=.013) was found between number of start and stops during week days and community participation scores, indicating that individuals who use power wheelchairs who have less number of starts and stops have higher level of community participation. A significant positive correlation (r=.772, p=.015) was found between daily drive minutes during week days and community participation scores, indicating that individuals who use power wheelchairs who drive their wheelchair more have higher level of community participation. In addition, in the manual wheelchair group, a significant positive correlation was found between speed during week days (r=.760, p=.047) and community participation, indicating that individuals who travel at a higher speed have higher levels of community participation.;The purpose of the second study was to investigate the effect of wheelchairs, the physical and social barriers on community participation among individuals with SCI. One hundred and five individuals with SCI who use wheelchairs for mobility participated in the data analyses. A written survey, called Facilitators and Barriers Survey/Mobility (FABS/M) was distributed among clients from Pittsburgh and Saint Louis. Results showed that a greater number of individuals with tetraplegia who use power wheelchairs (TP) reported that lack of personal assistance as a perceived social barrier that limits their participation in their place of employment when compared to those individuals with paraplegia who use manual wheelchairs (PM), individuals with paraplegia who use power wheelchairs (PP) and individuals with tetraplegia who use manual wheelchairs (TM). A greater number of individuals with TM and PM reported that the place of employment does not limit them compared to those PP and TP. In addition, a greater number of individuals with PP and TP indicated that lack of personal assistance as a perceived social barrier that limits their participation in the grocery store when compared to those with PM and TM. Furthermore, the perceived influence of the physical environment on participation in activities within the home and community was also demonstrated.