Document Detail


Power wheelchair prescription, utilization, satisfaction, and cost for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: preliminary data for evidence-based guidelines.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20159132     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVES: To determine the features most frequently selected in a power wheelchair (PWC), level of satisfaction with the selections, and how often the PWC features are used by patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/motor neuron disease (MND). DESIGN: Internally generated questionnaire. SETTING: An ALS/Muscular Dystrophy Association center. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of current patients (N=45) of our clinic with ALS/MND who are PWC users (men, n=27; women, n=18; age range, 27-85 y). INTERVENTION: Self-administered survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Thirty-two patients completed a 31-question survey investigating patients' patterns of selection, satisfaction, and frequency of PWC use; technical and psychometric influences; and other aspects of decision-making processes that patients experience before, during, and after acquiring a PWC. RESULTS: Ninety percent of respondents received their evaluations at a multidisciplinary ALS clinic, 1 via the Department of Veterans Affairs, and 1 was unknown. Sixty-six percent of patients thought the chair evaluation was timed correctly, and 19% wished they had started sooner. Forty-five percent of people were able to walk a few steps, and 55% were able to stand when their chairs arrived. When they first received the chair, 79% were satisfied with the overall comfort of the chair, and 86% were satisfied with the ease of use; currently, 69% are satisfied with the overall comfort, and 72% are satisfied with ease of use. There was a statistically significant difference in how patients used their wheelchair features initially and currently in terms of seat elevate and attendant control, but not tilt, recline, and elevating leg rests. The average cost for the power chairs was $26,404 (range, $19,376-$34,311), and the average cost a month is $917. Overall, 88% of respondents said they would get the same type of chair with the same features again, and 81% felt that the chair was a good value for the cost. CONCLUSIONS: We obtained first-hand knowledge from 32 patients with ALS/MND who are current PWC users on their use and satisfaction with their PWCs from initial to current use. Based on this survey, patients with ALS/MND seen for their wheelchair evaluation with experienced clinicians exhibit high use and satisfaction with their PWCs.
Authors:
Amber L Ward; Mohammed Sanjak; Kerry Duffy; Elena Bravver; Nicole Williams; Mindy Nichols; Benjamin Rix Brooks
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation     Volume:  91     ISSN:  1532-821X     ISO Abbreviation:  Arch Phys Med Rehabil     Publication Date:  2010 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-02-17     Completed Date:  2010-03-23     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2985158R     Medline TA:  Arch Phys Med Rehabil     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  268-72     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2010 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA. amber.ward@carolinashealthcare.org
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / physiopathology,  psychology*,  rehabilitation*
Cohort Studies
Direct Service Costs*
Electric Power Supplies
Equipment Design
Female
Health Care Surveys
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Mobility Limitation
Patient Satisfaction*
Wheelchairs / economics*,  psychology,  utilization*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Step counting and energy expenditure estimation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disea...
Next Document:  Relationship between perceived exertion and physiologic markers during arm exercise with able-bodied...