Pilot Study of a Peer-Led Wheelchair Training Program to Improve Self-Efficacy Using a Manual Wheelchair: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of a peer-led wheelchair training program on self-efficacy of manual wheelchair (MWC) use and to explore influences of the intervention on MWC skills, life-space mobility, and satisfaction with participation.


METHODS
Pilot randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Rehabilitation center and community.


METHODS
Community-living MWC users (N=28; mean MWC experience, 13y; mean age, 49y; 6 [21%] women).


METHODS
The experimental group (n=16) received six 1.5-hour sessions of a peer-led self-efficacy-enhanced wheelchair training program (WheelSee). On the basis of individualized goals, peer trainers administered WheelSee to pairs of MWC users. The control group (n=12) received no intervention.


METHODS
The primary outcome--wheelchair use self-efficacy--was assessed using the Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale (WheelCon) version 3.0. Secondary outcomes included wheelchair skills capacity and performance (Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire version 4.1), life-space mobility (Life Space Assessment), and satisfaction with participation (Wheelchair Outcome Measure).


RESULTS
Controlling for baseline scores, an analysis of covariance revealed that WheelSee had a large statistically significant effect on MWC use self-efficacy in community-living adult MWC users (Cohen d=1.4; P=.002) than in a control group. WheelSee also had a large statistically significant effect on MWC skills capacity (Cohen d=1.3; P=.003) and performance (Cohen d=1.0; P=.02). There were no statistically significant differences in life-space mobility or satisfaction with participation scores between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A peer-led MWC training program improves wheelchair use self-efficacy in adult MWC users and had a positive influence on other wheelchair-related outcomes. WheelSee may offer a promising intervention strategy to accommodate the training needs of community-living MWC users.
Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Rehabilitation Research Program, Vancouver Coastal Research Institute, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Krista L
KL
Best
Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Rehabilitation Research Program, Vancouver Coastal Research Institute, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: bill.miller@ubc.ca.
William C
WC
Miller
Rehabilitation Research Program, Vancouver Coastal Research Institute, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Grant
G
Huston
Department of Rehabilitation, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
Francois
F
Routhier
Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Rehabilitation Research Program, Vancouver Coastal Research Institute, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Janice J
JJ
Eng
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult
Peer group; Rehabilitation; Self efficacy; Wheelchairs