Kirsten L Gruis1, Patricia A Wren, Jane E Huggins. 1. Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA. kgruis@umich.edu
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Assistive devices are prescribed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with motor deficits, but little is known about their perceived benefit. Therefore, we assessed ALS patients' satisfaction with commonly prescribed devices. METHODS: A telephone survey of 63 ALS patients from a single multidisciplinary clinic was conducted to assess the frequency of use, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction with 33 assistive devices. RESULTS: Of those assistive technologies used "often or always" by ≥ 20% of respondents, arm rails by the toilet, elevated toilet seat, shower seat, shower bars, and slip-on shoes were ranked very highly for both usefulness and satisfaction. The ankle brace for ambulation, transfer board, speaker phone, and electronic seating controls were also ranked highly. The button hook, dressing stick, and long-handled reaching tool received low ratings for both usefulness and satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: ALS patients reported high usefulness and satisfaction levels with all bathroom adaptive devices and certain low-technology devices.
INTRODUCTION: Assistive devices are prescribed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with motor deficits, but little is known about their perceived benefit. Therefore, we assessed ALSpatients' satisfaction with commonly prescribed devices. METHODS: A telephone survey of 63 ALSpatients from a single multidisciplinary clinic was conducted to assess the frequency of use, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction with 33 assistive devices. RESULTS: Of those assistive technologies used "often or always" by ≥ 20% of respondents, arm rails by the toilet, elevated toilet seat, shower seat, shower bars, and slip-on shoes were ranked very highly for both usefulness and satisfaction. The ankle brace for ambulation, transfer board, speaker phone, and electronic seating controls were also ranked highly. The button hook, dressing stick, and long-handled reaching tool received low ratings for both usefulness and satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS:ALSpatients reported high usefulness and satisfaction levels with all bathroom adaptive devices and certain low-technology devices.
Authors: Angeli S Mayadev; Michael D Weiss; B Jane Distad; Lisa S Krivickas; Gregory T Carter Journal: Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am Date: 2008-08 Impact factor: 1.784
Authors: Petra Kaufmann; Gilbero Levy; Jacquelina Montes; Richard Buchsbaum; Alexandra I Barsdorf; Vanessa Battista; Rachel Arbing; Paul H Gordon; Hiroshi Mitsumoto; Bruce Levin; John L P Thompson Journal: Amyotroph Lateral Scler Date: 2007-02
Authors: Ismael Seanez-Gonzalez; Camilla Pierella; Ali Farshchiansadegh; Elias B Thorp; Farnaz Abdollahi; Jessica P Pedersen; Ferdinando A Sandro Mussa-Ivaldi Journal: IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng Date: 2016-12-15 Impact factor: 3.802