Article

The aims of this study were to report the current incidence of
wheelchair breakdowns, repairs, and consequences and to compare current data with
historical data. DESIGN: A convenience sample survey of 723 participants with
spinal cord injury who use a wheelchair for more than 40 hrs/wk treated at a
Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems center was conducted. RESULTS: Significant
increases were found in the number of participants reporting repairs (7.8%) and
adverse consequences (23.5%) in a 6-mo period (2006-2011) compared with
historical data (2004-2006)
(P < 0.001). When examining current data, minorities
experienced a greater frequency and higher number of reported consequences (P =
0.03). Power wheelchair users reported a higher number of repairs and
consequences than did manual wheelchair users (P < 0.001). Wheelchairs equipped
with seat functions were associated with a greater frequency of adverse
consequences (P = 0.01). Repairs did not vary across funding source, but
individuals with wheelchairs provided by Medicare and Medicaid reported a higher
frequency of consequences than did the combined group of the Department of
Vocational Rehabilitation, Worker's Compensation, and the Veterans Administration
(P = 0.034 and P = 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and
consequences of repairs are increasing from what was already a very high
statistic in this United States population. Further investigation into causality
is required, and intervention is needed to reverse this potential trend.

Langue : ANGLAIS