Development, reliability and validity of the queensland evaluation of wheelchair skills (QEWS).

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Psychometric studyObjectives:To develop and test a valid and reliable assessment of wheelchair skills for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI); the Queensland Evaluation of Wheelchair Skills (QEWS). SETTING: Hospital, Australia. METHODS: Phase 1 Four Delphi panel rounds with clinical experts were used to develop the QEWS. Phase 2 Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the QEWS items were examined in 100 people with SCI. Phase 3a Concurrent validity was investigated by examining the association between QEWS total scores and physiotherapists' global ratings of wheelchair skill performance. Phase 3b Construct validity was tested in 20 people with recent SCI by examining change in QEWS total scores between when they first mobilised in a wheelchair and scores obtained 10 weeks later. RESULTS: Phase 1 The QEWS was developed. Phase 2 The intra-class correlation coefficients reflecting the intra-rater reliability and the inter-rater reliability for the QEWS total score were 1.00 and 0.98, with scores being within one point of each other 96 and 91% of the time, respectively. Phase 3a The QEWS total scores were comparable with the global rating of wheelchair skill performance (r2=0.93). Phase 3b The QEWS scores changed by a median (interquartile range (IQR)) of 4 (1 to 6) points over the 10-week period following first wheelchair mobilisation. CONCLUSION: The QEWS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring wheelchair skills in individuals with SCI. The QEWS is efficient and practical to administer and does not require specialised equipment.