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Manual wheelchair skills: objective testing versus subjective questionnaire
Paula W Rushton1, R Lee Kirby, William C Miller
1Rehabilitation Sciences Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. paula.rushton@umontreal.ca
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|June 26, 2012
Summary
The Wheelchair Skills Test (WST) and Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q) capacity scores are highly correlated, with the WST-Q showing slightly higher self-reported scores. This suggests both tools can be used effectively for wheelchair skill evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation research
- Clinical assessment tools
- Human movement science
Background:
- The Wheelchair Skills Test (WST) is an observer-rated assessment of wheelchair performance.
- The Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q) is a self-report measure of wheelchair skills.
- Evaluating the correlation between these two instruments is crucial for understanding their concordance and application in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that WST and WST-Q version 4.1 total scores are highly correlated.
- To determine if WST-Q scores are higher than WST scores, indicating potential overestimation of capacity.
- To provide evidence for the appropriate use of either assessment tool based on evaluation objectives.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, within-subjects comparison design was employed.
- Eighty-nine community-dwelling, experienced manual wheelchair users participated.
- Participants completed the WST-Q followed by the WST in a single testing session across three Canadian cities.
Main Results:
- Capacity scores between the WST and WST-Q were highly correlated (ρ=.89, P=.000).
- WST-Q capacity scores were, on average, 3.5% higher than WST scores (P=.000).
- Percentage agreement for individual skills ranged from 82% to 100% for capacity and 90% to 100% for safety.
Conclusions:
- WST and WST-Q version 4.1 capacity scores demonstrate a strong correlation.
- The WST-Q tends to yield slightly higher scores for capacity compared to the WST.
- The choice between WST and WST-Q can be guided by specific evaluation circumstances and goals.
