The wheelchair skills test, version 2.4: Validity of an algorithm-based questionnaire version.

Anita D Mountain; R Lee Kirby; Cher Smith

doi:10.1016/s0003-9993(03)00427-1

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The wheelchair skills test, version 2.4: Validity of an algorithm-based questionnaire version.

Anita D Mountain·R Lee Kirby·Cher Smith

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that an algorithm-based questionnaire version of the Wheelchair Skills Test (WST) would provide a valid assessment of manual wheelchair skills. DESIGN: Within-participant comparisons. SETTING: Rehabilitation center in Nova Scotia, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty wheelchair users, 11 with musculoskeletal and 9 with neurologic disorders, with a wide range of wheelchair experience (1wk-20y). INTERVENTION: Each participant completed the questionnaire (WST-Q) and then the objective skills testing (WST, version 2.4). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The WST-Q consisted of 3 components, reported as separate versions: the knowledge version (WST-Q [K]) (structured oral questions only); the visual-aid version (WST-Q [VA]) (visual aids added for 6 of the skills); and the categorical perceived-ability version (WST-Q [PA]). RESULTS: The mean total percentage scores for the WST-Q (K), WST-Q (VA), WST-Q (PA), and WST were 60.5%, 62.2%, 64.0%, and 59.8%, respectively. Only the WST-Q (PA) differed significantly from the WST (P<.05). Positive correlations existed between the objective WST and the WST-Q (K) (r=.91), WST-Q (VA) (r=.91), and WST-Q (PA) (r=.83). The percentage agreement on the individual skill scores ranged from 55% to 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The algorithm-based WST-Q has excellent concurrent validity in comparison with objective testing, when assessing the overall manual wheelchair skill levels of wheelchair users with a wide range of experience. It may be useful as a screening tool or when objective testing is impractical.

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Adolescent Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Algorithms Female Humans Male Middle Aged Motor Skills Musculoskeletal Diseases Nervous System Diseases Reproducibility of Results Surveys and Questionnaires Task Performance and Analysis Wheelchairs Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Validation Study

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Anita D Mountain, R Lee Kirby, Cher Smith. 2004. The wheelchair skills test, version 2.4: Validity of an algorithm-based questionnaire version.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-9993(03)00427-1

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