Life-Space Mobility of Middle-Aged and Older Adults at Various Stages of Usage of Power Mobility Devices

Autor: William C. Miller, Luc Noreau, Isabelle Gélinas, Jeffrey W. Jutai, Louise Demers, Claudine Auger
Rok vydání: 2010
Předmět:
Zdroj: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 91:765-773
ISSN: 0003-9993
Popis: To examine whether the impact of power mobility devices (PMDs) varies as a function of stage of usage and to explore key factors associated with greater life-space mobility for middle-aged and older adults.Multicohort study with respondents grouped as a function of stage of PMD usage (reference group with mobility impairments, n=42; initial users, 1-6mo, n=35; long-term users, 12-18mo, n=39). Cohorts were compared with respect to life-space mobility in a continuum of environments ranging from home to outside town, using analysis of variance and chi-square tests. Baseline personal, assistive device, intervention, and environmental factors associated with life-space mobility were explored with age-adjusted linear regression models.Four Canadian rehabilitation centers.Random sample of middle-aged and older adults (N=116; 50-89y) living in the community or residential care.Procurement of a powered wheelchair or scooter.Life-Space Assessment composite score.Cohort comparisons showed higher frequency of outings for PMD users in the neighborhood (P.001) and around home (P.05) and significantly greater Life-Space Assessment composite scores for initial and long-term users than for the reference group (P.05). Factors such as sex, the nature of activities, and device type explained variances in Life-Space Assessment composite score ranging from 15.9% to 18.0% (P.006).Life-space mobility increases after PMD use and remains stable across the stages of initial and long-term use. To appreciate the impact of PMDs, clinicians should consider the environment and a combination of personal and device factors that are associated with the range of life-space mobility in the first 18 months after procurement.
Databáze: OpenAIRE