Reliability and normative values of the Wheelchair Propulsion Test: A preliminary investigation.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Normative data for the equivalent of gait speed via the Wheelchair Propulsion Test (WPT) do not exist for wheelchair users. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of the current study were to 1) determine the reliability of the WPT, 2) propose and compare normative values for the WPT for young adult males and females utilizing three different propulsion techniques, and 3) compare how different wheelchair types affect performance on the WPT. METHODS: 50 young adults (25 of each sex) performed the WPT using three different propulsion techniques in three different types of wheelchairs. Participants were asked to propel a wheelchair over 10 m at a comfortable speed. Time and number of pushes were recorded for three trials for each propulsion technique in each type of wheelchair. RESULTS: All of the ICC(2,2) values were >0.83 for speed and number of pushes. Normative values for speed, number of pushes, push frequency and effectiveness categorized by propulsion technique, sex and wheelchair type were developed. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary normative values have been established for young adults performing the WPT. This study highlights the need to maintain consistency of the wheelchair type and propulsion technique between trials in order for the WPT to be reliable.