Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine the measurement properties of the tele-phone administration
of the Wheelchair Outcome Measure (WhOM). SUBJECTS: Power mobility device users
aged 50-89 years. METHODS: Two independent cohorts were recruited: (i) a
prospective cohort (n = 40) to estimate test-retest reliability and to determine
the applicability of the telephone format, and (ii) a cross-sectional cohort to
examine construct validity with 3 groups: (a) people waiting for a first power
mobility device (n = 44); (b) initial users (n = 35; 1-6 months);
and (c)
long-term users (n = 39; 12-18 months). RESULTS: The tool demonstrated good
test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.77-1.00), took 10.9
min (standard deviation = 5.2) to administer and was practical to use over the
telephone. Validity testing showed moderate correlations with the Quebec User
Evaluation of Satisfaction with Technology (rS = 0.36-0.45) and the Psychosocial
Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (rS = 0.31-0.43). WhOM scores could
discriminate non-users from users (wait-list vs initial users; wait-list vs
long-term users, p < 0.001) and power wheelchair from scooter users (total WhOM
scores, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The WhOM is a stable, valid and applicable measure
for telephone administration with older power mobility device users. It is
moderately linked to satisfaction with the device and to the psychosocial impact
of the device, and therefore complements rather than replaces those measures.

Langue : ANGLAIS