One hundred and forty one individuals who had been hospitalized with one of three rehabilitation diagnoses (neurologic, orthopedic, or complex medical) received assistive technology devices (ATDs) to facilitate locomotion. They completed the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) within the first month following discharge from hospital (baseline) as part of the Locomotion Device Outcomes Study (LDOS). At follow-up 6 months later, 126 (89.4%) had either continued to use (76/126 or 60.3%) or completely discontinued to use (50/126 or 39.7%) the ATD (cane, crutches, walker, or wheelchair) that had been their primary locomotion device following discharge. Continuers had a significantly higher mean PIADS score at baseline than Discontinuers.
assistive device; PIADS; Locomotion Device Outcome Study; outcome; psychosocial
Jeffrey W. Jutai, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
The University of Western Ontario
Parkwood Hospital Site, Hobbins Building, H422
801 Commissioners Road East
London, ON N6C 5J1
Tel: (519) 685-4292 ext. 42626
Fax: (519) 685-4582
Email: jjutai@uwo.ca
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