Factors Associated with Change in Functional Performance among Wheelchair Users

Objective: The main objective of this study was to explore demo- graphics, wheelchair characteristics, and functional status indicators associated with changes in perceptions and functional performance of wheelchair users. Method: Nineteen wheelchair users were selected for this explorato- ry study. Utilizing Exhaustive Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) analysis, seven models were generated to examine specific demographics, wheelchair characteristics, and functional status indicators associated with pretest to posttest change scores in perceptions and performance of everyday tasks over time of three target variables. Validation of the models generated by Exhaustive CHAID analyses was conducted through the n-fold cross-validation procedure. The Functioning Everyday with a Wheelchair (FEW), the FEW-Capacity (FEW-C), and the FEW-Performance (FEW-P) were the measures used in this study. Results: The means for the change score were larger for the FEW (1.08 ± 0.59) followed by the FEW-C (0.69 ± 0.63), and then the FEW-P (0.33 ± 0.45). Most of the factors identified in each model were derived from the pretest. Our study explored factors that were significantly associated with change scores of the FEW tools. In - dependence, number of physical assists, safety, and tasks related to Outdoor Mobility at pretest were the functional status indicators found to be of greatest importance and significantly associated with changes in perceptions and performance of everyday tasks over time in our models. For all analyses, the values of the Risk Estimate for the Risk Statistics and Cross-validation were close with relatively small differences, suggesting strong and reasonable confidence in the validity of the seven models. Conclusion: This study may suggest specific focus areas for as - sessment and intervention and may highlight the importance of some factors that influence changes in functional performance among cli ents who have been referred for, and prescribed, a wheeled mobility device.