Measuring self–perceived satisfaction and independence of wheelchair users

Abstract

Background: Following receipt of a wheeled mobility device, outcomes can be measured using subjective (self/proxy report) or objective (performance-based observation at clinic and home) measures. These measures can be used together and can be complementary. There is currently a lack of available outcome measures related to functioning with the use of a wheelchair. In response to the need for more comprehensive outcome measures to document function for third-party payers, and evaluate the efficacy of wheeled mobility interventions, in 2001, a team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh developed the FEW (a self-report measure), the FEW-Capacity (FEW-C, a performance-based measure for the clinic), and the FEW-Performance (FEW-P, a performance-based measure for the home) outcome measurement instruments. The FEW tools have been used in research and proved to be reliable, valid, and useful. Currently, only a handful of research studies have focused on measuring level of satisfaction and functional independence for wheelchair users using their wheelchairs for everyday functional performance. Therefore, the FEW instrument was used in this study to measure self-perceived satisfaction and functional independence of wheelchair users.