STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. OBJECTIVES: To develop a performance-based physical functional measure for people using a manual wheelchair, and to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of the administration of the new procedure. BACKGROUND: Most performance-based measures of physical function focus on balance and ambulation impairments. Recent developments of performance measures fail to produce a valid and reliable performance-based measure to quantify physical function in people who must rely on upper-body function to mobilize. METHODS: Eighteen adults (ages 18 to 67 years) who used a nonmotorized wheelchair participated in this study. Volunteers performed selected tasks from the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance (CS-PFP) test, modified for persons using a wheelchair. Outcome measures included scores on the Wheelchair Physical Functional Performance (WC-PFP) test and the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) questionnaire. RESULTS: Participants had substantial disability (mean total SIP > 20). Total and domain scores of the WC-PFP had no ceiling or floor effects and were reproducible with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.87 to 0.96. Poorer self-rated health was correlated with poorer performance in the upper-body domain of the WC-PFP (r = -0.45). Those reporting disability in bathing and dressing using the SIP had significantly lower WC-PFP scores, indicating that the WC-PFP had construct validity. A significant correlation was not found between WC-PFP and the ambulation and mobility domains of the SIP. CONCLUSION: The WC-PFP provides a reliable and quantifiable measure of mobility in persons who use a manual wheelchair.
STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. OBJECTIVES: To develop a performance-based physical functional measure for people using a manual wheelchair, and to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of the administration of the new procedure. BACKGROUND: Most performance-based measures of physical function focus on balance and ambulation impairments. Recent developments of performance measures fail to produce a valid and reliable performance-based measure to quantify physical function in people who must rely on upper-body function to mobilize. METHODS: Eighteen adults (ages 18 to 67 years) who used a nonmotorized wheelchair participated in this study. Volunteers performed selected tasks from the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance (CS-PFP) test, modified for persons using a wheelchair. Outcome measures included scores on the Wheelchair Physical Functional Performance (WC-PFP) test and the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) questionnaire. RESULTS:Participants had substantial disability (mean total SIP > 20). Total and domain scores of the WC-PFP had no ceiling or floor effects and were reproducible with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.87 to 0.96. Poorer self-rated health was correlated with poorer performance in the upper-body domain of the WC-PFP (r = -0.45). Those reporting disability in bathing and dressing using the SIP had significantly lower WC-PFP scores, indicating that the WC-PFP had construct validity. A significant correlation was not found between WC-PFP and the ambulation and mobility domains of the SIP. CONCLUSION: The WC-PFP provides a reliable and quantifiable measure of mobility in persons who use a manual wheelchair.
Authors: Rebecca A Gary; M Elaine Cress; Melinda K Higgins; Andrew L Smith; Sandra B Dunbar Journal: J Cardiovasc Nurs Date: 2012 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 2.083
Authors: M Jason Highsmith; Jason T Kahle; Rebecca M Miro; M Elaine Cress; William S Quillen; Stephanie L Carey; Rajiv V Dubey; Larry J Mengelkoch Journal: Technol Innov Date: 2016-09-01
Authors: Mark T Bayley; R Lee Kirby; Farnoosh Farahani; Laura Titus; Cher Smith; François Routhier; Dany H Gagnon; Patricia Stapleford; S Mohammad Alavinia; B Catharine Craven Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2019-10 Impact factor: 1.985