Preliminary test-retest reliability of the Wheelchair Satisfaction Questionnaire

Economic realities in lower-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) present an increased need for outcome measures for wheelchair efficacy, as these measures enable optimized use of funds. As the provision level of wheelchairs is low in these areas, and many wheelchairs are inappropriate for their intended users, use of funds based on evidence is especially necessary. The Wheelchair Satisfaction Questionnaire (WSQ) was designed to be a snapshot of a wheelchair user's level of satisfaction with their wheelchair. The WSQ is comprised of 16 visual analogue scale questions. Each question includes an option for a qualitative explanatory comment. The current study examined initial test-retest reliability of the WSQ.

The WSQ was administered twice to the same set of wheelchair users who were secondary students at a school for students with disabilities. A demonstration was given to the participants to explain how to mark the analogue scale. Participants were instructed to answer each item honestly and without peer input. A one-week time span separated test and retest. Scores for both sessions were entered into SPSS. An interclass coefficient of 0.70 or above indicates acceptable test-retest reliability.

The ages of participants ranged from 13 to 24, with a mean age of 17.86 years. Sixty-five participants completed the questionnaire fully in both test and retest and were included in this study. A high degree of reliability was found between scores from both tests. The interclass coefficient was r(63) = .863, p = .01, indicating statistically significant agreement between test and retest.

The results support the WSQ as a reliable measure, confirming the WSQ as a reliable tool for user feedback on wheelchair function. Because the WSQ is designed to provide user feedback with enough granularity to give data on particular aspects of wheelchair structure and function, data can facilitate repair and modifications to wheelchair parts. Studies using the WSQ to assess specific wheelchair types could indicate consistent patterns of user satisfaction and dissatisfaction, revealing relevant design issues. The WSQ is designed to give wheelchair users a voice that can empower user centred modification and design changes to facilitate improved health, opportunity, and social interaction.Implications for RehabilitationResults from the WSQ could enable manufacturers to utilize user feedback to improve the design of wheelchairs for use in LMIC's, and providers could be better-informed in the selection of wheelchair types for specific environments.The WSQ could provide immediate user feedback to inform wheelchair modification and selection to best serve a particular user.The WSQ could be used in clinical settings over time to collect longitudinal data from wheelchair users, which could identify the most commonly perceived reasons for user dissatisfaction in a particular clinical setting.