ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the association between satisfaction with assistive technology devices and psychosocial impact among some mentally or physically disabled children. METHODS: The study subjects were 120 disabled children and their primary caregivers who were using rental assistive technology devices in Gwangju and Jeollanam-Do. Data were collected by structured questionnaire composed of general characteristics of subjects, characteristics related with using assistive devices. Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology 2.0 (QUEST 2.0) and Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Device Scale (PIADS). The statistical analysis were performed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlational analysis. RESULTS: The total mean score for QUEST 2.0 was 4.08±0.66 (satisfaction with devices, 4.01±0.70; satisfaction with the assistive devices service, 4.14±0.90) and the mean of PIADS was 1.00±0.75 (ability, 0.99±0.78; adaptability, 1.04±0.86; self-respect, 0.99±0.74). The scores of PIADS was statistically significant difference according to usage time of assistive devices. The PIADS was significantly positive correlated with QUEST 2.0 CONCLUSIONS: The mentally or physically disabled children reported that the higher level of satisfaction and the more positive impact of psychosocial aspect with assistive technology devices. It would be necessary to perform further studies for addressing the effects of assistive technology devices.