An observational study of powered wheelchair provision in Italy

Abstract

Powered wheelchairs are complex and expensive assistive devices that must be selected and configured on the basis of individual user needs, lifestyle, motivation, driving ability, and environment. Providing agencies often require evidence that their financial investment will lead to a successful outcome. The authors surveyed a sample of 79 users who had obtained powered wheelchairs from a Regional Health Service in Italy in the period 2008-2013. Follow-up interviews were conducted at the users' homes in order to collect information about wheelchair use, and its effectiveness, usefulness, and economic impact. The instruments used in the interviews included an introductory questionnaire, QUEST (Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology), PIADS (Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale), FABS/M (Facilitators and Barriers Survey/Mobility), and SCAI (Siva Cost Analysis Instrument). The results indicated positive outcomes, especially in relation to user satisfaction and psychosocial impact. A number of barriers were identified in various settings that sometimes restrict user mobility, and suggest corrective actions. The provision of a powered wheelchair generated considerable savings in social costs for most users: an average of about $38,000 per person over a projected 5-year period was estimated by comparing the cost of the intervention with that of non-intervention.

Motor and psychosocial impact of robot-assisted gait training in a real-world rehabilitation setting: A pilot study

“…PIADS proved to have good psychometric properties [ 21 ], which were confirmed in its Italian version, being able to detect the psychosocial impact of different assistive devices [ 22 – 23 ].…”

Mobility and participation among ageing powered wheelchair users: using a lifecourse approach

“…Few studies have also explored powered wheelchair users' experiences. Recent quantitative and qualitative research with adult users described powered wheelchairs as a mixed blessing in terms of usability, safety, cost, accessibility and stigma (Blach Rossen et al, 2012;Pettersson et al, 2015;Torkia et al, 2015;Salatino et al, 2016).…”

The impact of a power mobility device on occupational participation and quality of life for people with chronic diseases: A scoping review

“…Other authors reported on QoL using examples of participant's enhanced occupational performance. Respondents noted that the PMD had a great impact on their QoL citing this as a positive result of using the PMD (Carver et al, 2016;Corazon et al, 2019;Edwards and McCluskey, 2010;Evans, 2000;Fomiatti et al, 2014;Fredriksson et al, 2020;May and Rugg, 2010;Pettersson et al, 2016;Salatino et al, 2016;Samuelsson and Wressle, 2014;Sullivan et al, 2020;Zagol and Krasuski, 2010).…”

“…The Personal Independence Profile (PIP) Perr (2014) x X Self-report measure of psychological and environmental aspects of independence. 3 subscales (perceived control over one's self, psychological self-reliance and physical functioning Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) Francisco et al (2019), Giesbrecht et al (2009), Salatino et al (2016) x 26 item self-report to assess psychosocial impact of assistive device on functional independence, wellbeing and QoL Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (Quest 2.0) Giesbrecht et al (2009), Jedeloo et al (2002) PMD is reported in 10 studies as specifically enabling participation in shopping, and mobilising in the community (Brandt et al, 2004;Evans, 2000;Fredriksson et al, 2020;Hoenig et al, 2007;Labbé et al, 2020;Löfqvist et al, 2012;May and Rugg, 2010;Pettersson et al, 2015Pettersson et al, , 2016Sullivan et al, 2020). reported on 66 participants who identified that their PMD was used 3-5 times per week for activities that included shopping, visiting friends, keeping appointments and mobilising in the community.…”