Lessons learned from a pediatric powered mobility lending program.
| Autor: | Gefen N; ALYN Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.; PARC Research Center, ALYN Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel., Weiss PL; PARC Research Center, ALYN Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.; Dept. of Occupational Therapy, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel., Rigbi A; Faculty of Education, Beit Berl College, Kfar-Sava, Israel., Rosenberg L; School of Occupational Therapy, Hebrew University, Israel.; Ilanot Special Education School, Jerusalem, Israel. |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Zdroj: | Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology [Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol] 2024 Aug; Vol. 19 (6), pp. 2250-2259. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Oct 28. |
| DOI: | 10.1080/17483107.2023.2276232 |
| Abstrakt: | Purpose: To evaluate children's characteristics and impact of a powered wheelchair lending program including comparisons of diagnostic sub-groups, and validation of a predictive model of powered mobility proficiency. Methods and Materials: This retrospective study included 172 children who participated in the ALYN powered mobility lending program from 3/2009-7/2022. Demographics and functional levels were measured via questionnaires; driving proficiency was evaluated when the wheelchair was returned, and parents and children were interviewed following their participation in the program. Results: Two diagnostic groups were identified: cerebral palsy (CP) ( n = 136, median = 9.75 yrs) and other neuromuscular diseases (NMD) ( n = 30, median = 5.83 yrs). They differed significantly in the age they commenced PM training, the male/female ratio, walking ability and access mode. Fifty-seven percent of the participants with CP achieved powered mobility proficiency, a rate that was significantly lower than the 73% proficiency found for the NMD group. Four significant predictors were identified: communication, manual wheelchair operation, access mode and go-stop upon request. They predicted proficiency in approximately 80% of cases. Overall feedback from the parents and children indicated that their personal and family's quality of life improved as a result of their child's ability to use a powered wheelchair. Conclusions: A lending program provides children with opportunities to improve mobility skills in an appropriate powered wheelchair. Children who can communicate verbally, propel a manual wheelchair, use a joystick and go-stop upon request are significantly more likely to become proficient drivers; however, many who were unable to complete these tasks also improved and even became proficient drivers. |
| Databáze: | MEDLINE |
| Externí odkaz: |
|