ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Because outcomes studies are known to facilitate effective use of funds, economic realities in lower-resource countries increase the need for outcome measures for wheelchair effectiveness in these areas. Effective use of funds based on evidence is especially needed since the level of wheelchair provision is low, and many wheelchairs are inappropriate for their intended users. There are very few existing wheelchair specific assistive technology outcome measures. The Wheelchair Satisfaction Questionnaire (WSQ) was designed to be a snapshot of a wheelchair user's level of satisfaction with their wheelchair. The current studies examined the development of the WSQ and its initial face and content validity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The WSQ is comprised of 16 visual analogue scale questions; each question includes a qualitative explanatory comment. In study 1, 15 adult users of manual wheelchairs completed the WSQ and then the completed a follow-up questionnaire which collected feedback on each question. In study 2, 15 secondary school student users of manual wheelchairs in Kenya completed the same procedure used in study 1. RESULTS: High mean satisfaction scores on the follow-up questionnaire support face and content validity in both studies. CONCLUSION: The WSQ has the potential to give wheelchair users a quantifiable voice on wheelchair function. Data obtained from the WSQ also has the potential to provide data from wheelchair users to wheelchair manufacturers and providers, leading to better design and provision.Implications for RehabilitationBased upon the score of a specific item, manufacturers could improve design of wheelchairs for use in lower-and-middle-income countries, and providers could be better-informed as to models sent to specific environments.The WSQ could provide evidence-based information to support improved provision and design.The WSQ could be used in a clinical setting over time to identify the most common interface problems in that particular setting.
