Correlates of self-reported Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire scores of new users of mobility scooters: a cross-sectional study

Wheelchair Skills Test in simulated versus community settings: a mixed-methods crossover study of experienced motorized mobility scooter users

PURPOSE

The Wheelchair Skills Test (WST) is commonly conducted in a simulated setting. Although the WST can be done in the community setting, its usefulness in this setting has not been systematically evaluated. The purpose of this study was to compare the WST in the simulated versus community settings, and to explore participants' perceptions of performing in each environment.

METHODS

For this mixed-methods study, we studied 20 motorized mobility scooter users who had used their devices for ≥ 3 months. Each participant completed the WST Version 4.3 twice in random order - once in a simulated setting and once in their community within a two-week period. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after completion of the WST in both environments. A self-report version of the WST (WST-Q) was also completed that measured perceived capacity, frequency of skill performance, and confidence.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) total WST score in the simulated setting was 88.9% (8.6) and 92.7% (7.8) in the community setting. The two WST scores were moderately correlated (r = 0.306, p = 0.190). Community-setting WST scores were moderately correlated with WST-Q confidence scores. Simulated-setting scores were moderately correlated with WST-Q frequency scores. Although most participants preferred performing the WST in their communities due to convenience and familiarity, they perceived the simulated setting to be reflective of their community settings.

CONCLUSION

Despite challenges, community-based testing may provide a better reflection of everyday performance for scooter users than testing in a simulated environment.

Qualitative experiences of new motorised mobility scooter users relevant to their scooter skills: a secondary analysis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the experiences of new motorised mobility scooter users from the perspectives of the assessment and training of scooter skills.

DESIGN

Descriptive secondary analysis of qualitative data.

SETTING

Community.

PARTICIPANTS

20 New users of motorised mobility scooters.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Directed qualitative analysis of up to four semi-structured interviews over the course of the first year of scooter use, to identify themes and sub-themes that could inform recommendations regarding assessment and training protocols.

RESULTS

We identified two themes. The first related to potential new content. As one example of the sub-themes, there were many excerpts that dealt with the use of skills in various combinations and permutations that were used to carry out activities during everyday life and participate in society. These excerpts suggested the importance of training skills in combination to facilitate skill transfer (or generalizability). The second theme is related to enhancements of existing content. As one example of the sub-themes, there were several excerpts that dealt with scooter security. These excerpts led to the recommendation that removing and inserting the scooter key should be added to the assessment criteria for the "turns power on and off" skill of the Wheelchair Skills Test (WST) and its questionnaire version (WST-Q).

CONCLUSIONS

The experiences of scooter users over the first year of receiving a scooter appear to be relevant to the assessment and training of scooter skills and suggest themes for further study. Clinical trial registration number: NCT02696213 IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe experiences of new scooter users are highly relevant to the assessment and training of scooter skills.These experiences suggest both potential new content and enhancements of existing content to the Wheelchair Skills Program Manual.