| 1. |
- Bergström, Aileen, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of manual wheelchairs by individuals with spinal cord injuries
- 2006
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 1:3, s. 175-182
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate how adults with spinal cord injury assess their satisfaction regarding various aspects and use of their manual wheelchair. Method. The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) together with seven additional questions was sent to 205 adults with SCI. Results. One hundred and twenty-four responses were available. The QUEST 2.0 showed a high level of satisfaction with manual wheelchair properties. However, the respondents were less satisfied with the services offered. Ease of use and comfort were identified as most important. Eighty-nine percent of the respondents rated their level of satisfaction as 'quite satisfied' or 'very satisfied' in ease of using a manual wheelchair compared with 68% of the respondents that were 'quite satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with the level of comfort. A greater satisfaction of ease in propulsion indoors compared with sitting comfort in various activities was found. Conclusions. A discrepancy was shown between users not being as satisfied with comfort in sitting in various activities as opposed to satisfaction with propulsion. This indicates the need for increased knowledge and developments concerning individual solutions, incorporating comfort as well as ease of use of a manual wheelchair.
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| 2. |
- Boman, I L, et al.
(author)
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Using electronic aids to daily living after acquired brain injury : a study of the learning process and the usability.
- 2007
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 2:1, s. 23-33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: The purpose was to study the ability of persons with memory impairments after acquired brain injury to learn how to and use electronic aids to daily living (EADL) and to describe changes in function and quality of life. METHOD: Eight participants stayed in two apartments equipped with a set of basic and advanced EADL for either 4 or 6 months during an intervention time of 2 years. The teaching and learning method was influenced by certain principles of errorless learning. Ability to learn to use EADL was measured by structured observations. Function and quality of life were assessed with self-rating questionnaires. RESULTS: Results indicate that the participants learned to use EADL in their everyday activities. They perceived that EADL were very useful and easy to learn. Occupational performance and satisfaction with occupational performance and quality of life was improved. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that EADL may play an important role in facilitating everyday activities and improve satisfaction with occupational performance and quality of life for people with memory impairments. The study indicates the importance of adjusting technology to the user's needs and calls for more consideration for human-technology interaction factors.
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| 3. |
- Eklund, Kajsa, 1952, et al.
(author)
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Low vision, ADL and hearing assistive device use among older persons with visual impairments.
- 2007
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In: Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 2:6, s. 326-34
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Assistive devices (AD) have long played an important role in occupational therapy practice as a way of enabling activities of daily living (ADL), but no studies to date have investigated the use of low vision AD among older persons with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) as well as devices for ADL performance and hearing. The purpose of this study was to describe AD users and to investigate the association of AD and ADL. A health promotion program versus an individual program was investigated within a randomised design. The study was based on data from 131 participants, 28-months after intervention. Data on prescribed ADs were examined through medical records and registers. The participants in the health promotion program used low vision AD in combination with ADL devices to a higher degree, whereas participants in the individual program used just optical AD. Greater use of non-optical AD within the individual program and greater use of ADL devices within the health promotion program was weakly associated with higher level of ADL dependence. There was no significant association between the number of low vision AD and having a decreased, a maintained or improved level of dependence at 28 months.
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| 4. |
- Hedberg-Kristensson, Elizabeth, et al.
(author)
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Experiences among older persons using mobility devices
- 2007
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3115 .- 1748-3107. ; 2:1, s. 15-22
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives. The aim of the study was to investigate older persons' experiences of using mobility devices. Methods. In this qualitative study, focus group interviews were carried out with participants living in two municipalities in the south of Sweden. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists identified interested participants, 65 years or older. A total of 22 persons participated once in the seven focus group interviews that were arranged. Results. Five main categories of participant experiences emerged from the data: 'Municipal supply and non-supply of devices', 'Acceptance or non-acceptance of mobility devices', 'Different use of mobility devices supports everyday and social activities', 'Different kinds of obstacles constrain everyday and social activities' and 'Adaptive strategies in order to use mobility devices'. Conclusion. Since the participants experienced non-acceptance and obstacles related to the use of mobility devices, this highlights the needs for quality development concerning more efficient data-collecting in community-based rehabilitation.
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| 5. |
- Magnusson, Lina, 1977-, et al.
(author)
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Prosthetist/Orthotist Educational Experience & Professional Development in Pakistan
- 2009
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 4:6, s. 385-392
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: To explore areas in which the education at the Pakistan Institute of Prosthetic & Orthotic Science (PIPOS) could be improved or supplemented to facilitate clinical practice of graduates. To describe educational opportunities PIPOS graduates have had since their graduation and explore their further educational needs.METHOD: 15 graduates from PIPOS participated in semi-structured interviews. A qualitative content analysis was applied to the transcripts.FINDINGS: Respondents indicated a need to upgrade the education at PIPOS. This should include upgrading of resources such as literature and internet access as well as providing staff with the opportunity to further their own education. Females experienced inequality throughout their education but were supported by management. Upon entering the workforce graduates reported that they were supported by senior staff but experienced difficulties in determining appropriate prescriptions. They further indicated that a multidisciplinary approach to patient care is lacking. Graduates knowledge of workshop management was identified as a problem when entering the workforce. Limited awareness of the prosthetics and orthotics profession by both the general community and the medical community was also identified as a problem. If offered the opportunity to continue their studies the respondents would like to specialize. "Brain drain" was noted as a risk associated with post graduate education. Interaction from international collaborators and networking within the country was desired.CONCLUSION: The education at PIPOS meets a need in the country. Graduates indicated that P&O services for Pakistan can be better provided by modifying program content, upgrading teachers' knowledge, improving access to information and addressing issues of gender equality. PIPOS graduates have had limited opportunities for professional development and have a desire for further education.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Nilsagård, Ylva, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of a single session with cooling garment for persons with multiple sclerosis-a randomized trial
- 2006
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 1:4, s. 225-233
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose. This research investigates the objective and subjective effects of wearing the Rehband® cooling garment. Method. A multi-centre, randomized crossover study was conducted regarding 43 heat-sensitive persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), comparing active treatment with placebo. Subjects were tested immediately before and after intervention. Ten- (10TW) and 30-metre timed walk (30TW), oral temperature, spasticity, standing balance and timed up and go (TUG) and nine-hole peg test (NHPT) performance were measured. A study-specific questionnaire was used to evaluate subjective experiences. Results. Active treatment produced statistically significant objective improvement in 10TW, 30TW, one-legged stance, tandem stance (right) and TUG; statistically significant subjective improvement was also found in fatigue, spasticity, weakness, balance, gait, transfers, ability to think clearly and time to recover. The coherence between the objective and subjective results indicates clinical relevance from the subjects' perspective. There were no statistically significant differences between treatments in terms of oral temperature, spasticity (measured by the modified Ashworth scale), tandem stance (left), step test or NHPT, or subjective signs such as difficulty in dressing, dysarthria or pain. Conclusions. Active cooling with a Rehband® vest is likely to have a positive effect on everyday life in heat-sensitive persons with MS.
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| 8. |
- Pettersson, Ingvor, et al.
(author)
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The effect of an outdoor powered wheelchair on activity and participation in users with stroke
- 2006
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. - Abingdon, Oxford, UK : Taylor & Francis. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 1:4, s. 235-243
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose.Persons with disabilities after stroke are often restricted in activity and participation in society because of mobility limitations. An outdoor powered wheelchair may be one among other interventions in a rehabilitation programme. The aim of this study was to describe and compare activity limitations and participation restrictions in persons with stroke from their own perspective, before and after using an outdoor powered wheelchair. Method. At baseline and follow-up two instruments were used: Individually Prioritized Problem Assessment (IPPA) and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II). Results. The results indicated that the powered wheelchair has a great positive effect on activity and participation assessed with IPPA. The results also showed that most of the participants' problems could be categorised as belonging to the domain of 'Community, social and civic life' according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and the effect size in this domain was large (2.4) after the participants had used the wheelchair. Conclusion. An outdoor powered wheelchair is an essential device for persons with disability after stroke with regard to overcoming activity limitations and participation restrictions in everyday life.
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| 9. |
- Samuelsson, Kersti, et al.
(author)
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The effect of shaped wheelchair cushion and lumbar supports on under-seat pressure, comfort, and pelvic rotation.
- 2009
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1748-3107 .- 1748-3115. ; 4:5, s. 329-336
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: A wheelchair seat and position help clients perform daily activities. The comfort of the wheelchair can encourage clients to participate in daily activities and can help prevent future complications. PURPOSE: This study evaluates how a shaped seat-cushion and two different back supports affect under-seat pressure, comfort, and pelvic rotation. METHOD: Thirty healthy subjects were tested using two differently equipped manual wheelchairs. One wheelchair had a Velcro adjustable back seat and a plane seat-cushion. The other wheelchair had a non-adjustable sling-back seat and a plane cushion. The second wheelchair was also equipped with a shaped cushion and/or a detachable lumbar support. Under-seat pressure, estimated comfort, and pelvic rotation were measured after 10 min in each wheelchair outfit. RESULTS: Peak pressure increased with the shaped cushion compared to the plane cushion. No significant difference in estimated comfort was found. Pelvic posterior-rotation was reduced with the adjustable or detachable back-support irrespective of the shape of the seat cushion. CONCLUSIONS: To support a neutral pelvic position and spinal curvature, a combination of a shaped cushion and a marked lumbar support is most effective.
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