The Value of an Outdoor Powered Wheelchair with Regard to the Quality of Life of Persons with Stroke: a Follow-Up Study

*Ingvor Pettersson, Reg.OT.,  Ph.D., *Gerd Ahlström, RN, Ph.D., Professor, †Kristina Törnquist, Reg.OT., Ph.D.
*Department of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
†Education and Research Office, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden

ABSTRACT:

The aim of this study was to describe characteristics of persons with stroke using an outdoor powered wheelchair and to evaluate the impact of the wheelchair on quality of life. The 32 participants with stroke were recruited consecutively from three county council areas in Sweden. A follow-up design was applied including the EuroQol-5D questionnaires at baseline before the persons were prescribed an outdoor powered wheelchair and data after 3-5 months of using it was collected by means of the EuroQol-5D and the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS). The results indicated an improved quality of life in respect of the items: competence, independence, capability, quality of life, well-being, happiness, and self-esteem on PIADS. The Usual activity dimension in EuroQol-5D showed a significant improvement after wheelchair use. The conclusion is that the powered wheelchair mostly has a positive impact on the quality of life of users with stroke.

KEYWORDS:

PIADS, EQ-5D, powered wheelchair, evaluation, stroke, quality of life

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

This study was supported by grants from the Johanniterorden and the Department of health Sciences, Örebro University, Sweden.

Address for correspondence:

Ingvor Pettersson
Department of Health Sciences
Örebro University
SE-701 82 Örebro, Sweden
Phone: +46 19 30 37 46
Fax: +46 19 30 36 01
E-mail: ingvor.pettersson@hi.oru.se

Highlights

  • Source Ordered
  • No Tables
  • Very Compatible

Gargoyles

Disney produced a television show in the mid 1990s called Gargoyles. It's a great show and I'm a big fan. A few years ago Disney started to release the show on DVD. The last release was of season 2, volume 1. That was two years ago. Volume 2 has not been released. Why? Poor sales. So if you should find yourself wanting to support my work, instead I ask you pick up a copy of season 2, volume 1. It's a great show and you might find yourself enjoying it.