title: Factors predictive of type of powered mobility received by veterans with disability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of this observational study was to determine factors predictive of the type of powered mobility prescribed to veterans with disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review was conducted for all veterans (n=170) who received powered mobility from a designated power mobility clinic. Logistic regression analysis was used to determined factors predictive of the type of powered mobility provided.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-four (38%) veterans were provided powered wheelchairs and 106 (62%) were provided powered scooters. Of the variables examined, only primary medical conditions for referral and disability severity (as measured by the 2-minute timed walk test; 2-MWT) were predictive of the types of powered mobility prescribed. Veterans who were able to walk longer distances were more likely to be prescribed powered scooters. Age, gender, race, level of education, marital and employment status, number of chronic medical conditions, and upper and lower limb muscle strength were not significant predictors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that the primary medical conditions for referral and 2-MWT can assist clinicians in the determination of the type of powered mobility to prescribe to veterans with disability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Meheroz H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rabadi
authors.affiliation: Cognitive Science Research Center, University of Oklahoma at Norman, Norman, OK, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Vincent
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*