Measuring the relationship of assistive technology use, functional status over time, and consumer-therapist perceptions of ATs.

Two consecutive studies addressed device use post-discharge in relation to functional status among 47 persons with mixed diagnoses discharged from an acute inpatient rehabilitation unit. Telephone interviews were used to ascertain device use; functional status was obtained using the telephone version of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Among all participants, 128 devices were prescribed; of these, 86 devices were still used at 3-month follow-up. The four types of devices most frequently abandoned were adapted grooming aids (55% nonuse), quad canes (43%), walkers (36%), and manual wheelchairs (36%). The most frequent reason given for nonuse was that the device was no longer needed. In study two, it was found that functional improvement (at follow-up) corresponded with device nonuse for about half the devices. The study also documented discrepancies in perception between therapists and consumers regarding utility and aesthetic aspects of devices. Strategies to maximize appropriate use of devices are presented.