Article

The aims of this study were to test the hypothesis that people with
stroke who receive formal powered wheelchair skills training improve their
wheelchair skills to a significantly greater extent than participants in a control group who do not and to explore the influence of spatial neglect. DESIGN:
Seventeen participants with stroke (including nine with spatial neglect) were
randomly allocated to intervention (n = 9) or control (n = 8) groups. Those in
the intervention group received up to five 30-min training sessions based on the
Wheelchair Skills Training Program 4.1. The powered Wheelchair Skills Test
version 4.1 was administered at baseline (T1) and after training (T2). RESULTS: A
rank order analysis of covariance on the T2 Wheelchair Skills Test score, having
adjusted for the T1 score, showed a significant effect caused by group (P =
0.0001). A secondary analysis showed no significant effect caused by spatial
neglect (P = 0.923). CONCLUSIONS: People with stroke who receive formal powered
wheelchair skills training improve their powered wheelchair skills to a
significantly greater extent (30%) than participants who do not (0%). The extent
of change was not affected by the presence of spatial neglect. These findings have significance for the wheelchair provision process and the rehabilitation of
people with stroke.

Langue : ANGLAIS