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A participatory approach to develop the Power Mobility Screening Tool and the Power Mobility Clinical Driving
Deepan C Kamaraj1, Brad E Dicianno2, Rory A Cooper3
1VA Center of Excellence in Wheelchairs and Related Technology, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA ; Human Engineering Research Laboratories, 6425 Penn Avenue, Bakery Square, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA.
Abstract:
The electric powered wheelchair (EPW) is an indispensable assistive device that increases participation among individuals with disabilities. However, due to lack of standardized assessment tools, developing evidence based training protocols for EPW users to improve driving skills has been a challenge. In this study, we adopt the principles of participatory research and employ qualitative methods to develop the Power Mobility Screening Tool (PMST) and Power Mobility Clinical Driving Assessment (PMCDA). Qualitative data from professional experts and expert EPW users who participated in a focus group and a discussion forum were used to establish content validity of the PMCDA and the PMST. These tools collectively could assess a user's current level of bodily function and their current EPW driving capacity. Further multicenter studies are necessary to evaluate the psychometric properties of these tests and develop EPW driving training protocols based on these assessment tools.
