Article

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that, in comparison with those in a control
group, community-dwelling wheelchair users in Turkey who have completed the
Wheelchair Skills Training Program have better total percentage performance and
safety scores on the Wheelchair Skills Test. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.
SUBJECTS: The study group comprised individuals (n = 24) who have to use a
wheelchair for mobility in daily life. The subjects were randomly allocated to
training (n = 14) and control groups (n = 10). INTERVENTIONS: The training group
attended a skill training session three times a week for four weeks. The control
group did not participate in the training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At the
beginning of the study, subjects underwent a Wheelchair Skills Test (version
4.1), which evaluated their performance and safety for a range of skills. The
test was repeated at the end of the study. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD total
percentage Wheelchair Skills Test performance scores increased significantly in
both the training group (P = 0.002) and control group (P = 0.01), although the
training group increased to a greater extent (P = 0.034). The training group's
mean +/- SD total percentage Wheelchair Skills Test safety scores increased
significantly (P = 0.001), but there was no significant change in the control
group. A statistically significant improvement was found between the total
percentage Wheelchair Skills Test safety scores in the training group compared
with the control group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Community-living wheelchair users
who received wheelchair skills training increased their total performance and
safety scores to a greater extent than a control group.

Langue : ANGLAIS