The relationship between strength, pain, and community integration in wheelchair users: a pilot study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the differences between wheelchair users and their matched able-bodied controls in grip strength, pain (as expressed by scores on the McGill Pain Questionnaire [MPQ]), and community integration (as expressed by scores on the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique [CHART]). We also explored the relationships among community integration, pain, strength, and demographic variables. Thirteen wheelchair users and 13 able-bodied participants were matched for gender, age, and activity level. The wheelchair-user group had significantly greater scores on the MPQ and significantly lower scores on the CHART. Step-wise multiple regression analyses revealed that the best predictor for pain was age for the wheelchair-user group and activity for the able-bodied group. The best predictor of the CHART for the wheelchair-user group was grip strength. In conclusion, pain was associated with age for the wheelchair-user group and with activity for the able-bodied group. In addition, grip strength was associated with community integration for the wheelchair-user group.