Wheelchair Skills Test Version 4.1 for Power Wheelchairs: Comparison of Total Percentage Scores for the Objective and Questionnaire Versions
1Paula W Rushton, 2R Lee Kirby, 3CanWheel Research Team
1. Université de Montréal and Centre de recherche de l'institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 2. Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Dalhousie University and Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; 3. www.canwheel.ca
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the total percentage scores of the objective Wheelchair Skills Test (WST) and subjective Wheelchair Skills Test – Questionnaire (WST-Q) for power wheelchair use, version 4.1 are highly correlated, but that the WST-Q scores are slightly higher. Fifty power wheelchair users completed the WST-Q followed by the WST. The WST and WST-Q were moderately correlated (r = 0.62) (p<.000), but the WST-Q scores were higher by an average of 3.8% (p<0.004). The results of this study provide support for the use of either the WST or WST-Q depending upon the circumstances and objective of the assessment.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (AMG 100925). Salary/scholarship funds were provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (PWR).