Preliminary Test-Retest Reliability of the Wheelchair Seating Discomfort Assessment Tool (WCS-DAT)
By Crane, Barbara, MA, PT, ATP; Holm, Margo, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Hobson, Douglas, PhD; RESNA 26th International Annual Conference 2003,Publication Date: 2003
Study conducted to evaluate the preliminary reliability testing of the Wheelchair Seating Discomfort Assessment Tool (WCS-DAT). The study’s hypothesis was that the WCS-DAT allows people who have intact sensation in their buttocks and lower extremities to reliably estimate their levels of discomfort after a minimum of two hours spent using a wheelchair. Thirty people who used wheelchairs participated in the study. All participants used their devices for a minimum of eight hours each day, had difficulty shifting their own posture due to motor weakness, and had intact sensation in their buttocks and lower extremities. At the time of each session, each participant was given a packet of information that included written directions, four questionnaires, four inner envelopes, and one larger return-mailing envelope. Each participant completed one questionnaire with the researcher on site if possible, or at a later time if more convenient. Each participant then completed the three remaining duplicate questionnaires over the course of one week. Participants were contacted with reminder calls the day prior to scheduled completion of the second set of questionnaires, and were given the option of having a researcher assist them with completion of the questionnaires via telephone. Preliminary results indicated a high level of consistency and reliability. The authors contend that the WCS-DAT will face further clinical evaluations in the next phase of the study.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
