Effectiveness of Group Wheelchair Maintenance Training for People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2022 · DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2021.02.031 · Published: April 1, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Assistive Technology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study looked at whether group training could help people with spinal cord injuries maintain their wheelchairs better. The study found that people who received the training were better able to maintain their wheelchairs and did it more often. The training was effective for both manual and power wheelchair users.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Manual (MWC) and power wheelchair (PWC) users with spinal cord injury (n=80 and 67, respectively).

Evidence Level

Randomized control trial

Key Findings

1
Group wheelchair skills training is effective at improving capacity to complete maintenance and performance of maintenance activities for MWC and PWC users
2
For MWC users, improvements were tied to lower WMT-Q scores at baseline
3
PWC users improved in capacity and performance independent of baseline score.

Research Summary

Group wheelchair maintenance training was effective at improving capacity and performance of wheelchair maintenance for MWC and PWC users. This effect was sustained 6-months and 1-year after training. Delivering this training in a structured group format offers a proven lower-cost-means for centers to provide traing in this important area.

Practical Implications

Improved wheelchair maintenance

Group training can improve wheelchair maintenance skills, leading to fewer breakdowns.

Cost-effective training

Group training is a lower-cost method for providing maintenance training.

Accessible training

Group training can be implemented in various settings, increasing accessibility.

Study Limitations

1
Participants were a convenience sample across 4 SCI Model Systems Centers and may not be representative of the general SCI population.
2
Missing data secondary to failure to complete assessment was an issue.
3
Future work should investigate additional effects of maintenance training including the incidence of repairs, consequences, quality of life, and participation.

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