Psychosocial impact of electronic aids to daily living

Electronic aids to daily living (EADLs) allow persons who have a degenerative neuromuscular condition such as Duchenne's muscular dystrophy to operate a wide variety of household and workplace appliances without assistance (independent of family members or other caregivers). There is very little published research to describe how well EADLs are perceived by users to enhance their sense of personal autonomy, functional independence, and psychological well being. Psychosocial impact is a significant determinant of how users perceive the benefit of assistive devices to their quality of life. This study compared the perceived psychosocial impact of EADLs on a group of device users with the anticipated impact of EADLs reported by a group who were eligible for, but had not yet received, these devices. The perceptions of the user group were measured at two points in time, approximately 6 to 9 months apart, to examine the stability of psychosocial impact. The Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale was the instrument used to assess perceived impact. EADLs were found to produce similar degrees of positive impact on users and positive perceptions of anticipated impact on those without devices. The psychosocial impact on users was stable over time. The results indicate that the perceived benefits of EADLs to the autonomy, functional independence, and psychological well being of both users and nonusers are positive and strikingly similar. The study is an important first step in attempting to quantify psychosocial outcomes for EADLs in a way that might facilitate economic analysis of these devices in the future.