ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Mobility aids not only compensate for a locomotor disability, they also increase users' opportunities for social participation. The objective was to explore the impacts of wheelchair (WC) acquisition on children's social participation, personal factors and social environment. METHODS: A literature review was done in MEDLINE for the years 1996 to 2011 (June) with an age range from birth to 12 years. The studies selected had to be in French or English and concern the impacts of a WC on children, their social participation or social environment. RESULTS: The studies retained (n = 9) indicate generally positive impacts. A trend towards improved participation in personal care, mobility, interpersonal relationships and play was observed. Data regarding the effect on the development of cognitive functions are contradictory. For the social environment, a positive change was observed in parents' attitudes and their own social participation after their child tried Assistive Technology. CONCLUSION: The results illustrate the complex interaction between person, environment and social participation. Although they are a compensatory aid, WCs do not have a negative impact on motor development. Finally, methodologically speaking, the subject seems to have been explored sufficiently to now be studied in greater depth by means of empirical studies generating evidence-based data.
Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Concept Formation/physiology , Disability Evaluation , Disabled Persons/psychology , Mobility Limitation , Models, Psychological , Wheelchairs/psychology , Child , Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Humans , Social ParticipationABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To document perceived impacts in users' daily activities and social roles (social participation) following the acquisition of a first manual or powered wheelchair. METHODS: A qualitative design with a phenomenological approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. An interview guide was developed based on the 12 social participation categories in the Disability Creation Process (DCP) conceptual model as themes underlying the questions: 'What has changed in your daily life since you got your new wheelchair?' and 'What has not changed in your daily life that you thought you would do differently with your new wheelchair?' RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The average age of the ten participants was 64.3 years (±16.3) and 90% had received a manual wheelchair. Four main themes emerged from the detailed analysis: changes in daily activities, expectations not met, impacts on social roles and emotional changes. The participants considered the changes in daily activities to be generally positive. Expectations not met mainly related to outdoor mobility. The participants had not anticipated the impacts on social roles and emotional changes, which demonstrate the complexity of human occupation. CONCLUSION: Getting a wheelchair is a major and complex event in a person's life.
Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Disabled Persons/psychology , Patient Satisfaction , Perception , Social Participation , Wheelchairs , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Concept Formation , Disability Evaluation , Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Female , Humans , Interview, Psychological , Male , Middle Aged , Mobility Limitation , Models, Psychological , Qualitative Research , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Efficient mobility could be a prerequisite to carrying out many daily activities and social roles (social participation). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of wheelchair acquisition on social participation. METHODS: Single group pre/post design where the intervention was the acquisition of a wheelchair paid for by the provincial government. Data were collected retrospectively from the participants' medical files. Individuals were excluded if they received an assistive device other than a wheelchair or contacted the centre only for wheelchair repairs. Social participation was measured using the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) questionnaire. RESULTS: The sample (n = 42) had a mean age of 64.2 +/- 18.5 years, and 50% of them (n = 21) did not have a wheelchair before the intervention. The total RNLI scores pre- (46.9/100 +/- 24.7) and post-acquisition (29.7/100 +/- 18.5) showed a significant improvement in participation (p < 0.001). No difference was found between those who had their first wheelchair (n = 21) compared with replacement. Single-item analysis of the RNLI showed a significant difference for 5 of the 11 items. Age and diagnosis were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with some of the items. CONCLUSION: Social participation improved significantly following wheelchair acquisition although confounding variables may have contributed to this improvement.