Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
Development, reliability and validity of the queensland evaluation of wheelchair skills (QEWS)
E J Gollan1,2,3, L A Harvey3, J Simmons1,2
1Physiotherapy Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Study Design:
Psychometric studyObjectives:To develop and test a valid and reliable assessment of wheelchair skills for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI); the Queensland Evaluation of Wheelchair Skills (QEWS).
Setting:
Hospital, Australia.
Methods:
Phase 1: Four Delphi panel rounds with clinical experts were used to develop the QEWS. Phase 2: Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the QEWS items were examined in 100 people with SCI. Phase 3a: Concurrent validity was investigated by examining the association between QEWS total scores and physiotherapists' global ratings of wheelchair skill performance. Phase 3b: Construct validity was tested in 20 people with recent SCI by examining change in QEWS total scores between when they first mobilised in a wheelchair and scores obtained 10 weeks later.
Results:
Phase 1: The QEWS was developed. Phase 2: The intra-class correlation coefficients reflecting the intra-rater reliability and the inter-rater reliability for the QEWS total score were 1.00 and 0.98, with scores being within one point of each other 96 and 91% of the time, respectively. Phase 3a: The QEWS total scores were comparable with the global rating of wheelchair skill performance (r2=0.93). Phase 3b: The QEWS scores changed by a median (interquartile range (IQR)) of 4 (1 to 6) points over the 10-week period following first wheelchair mobilisation.
Conclusion:
The QEWS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring wheelchair skills in individuals with SCI. The QEWS is efficient and practical to administer and does not require specialised equipment.
