The wheelchair skills test, version 2.4: Validity of an algorithm-based questionnaire version.

OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that an algorithm-based questionnaire version of the Wheelchair Skills Test (WST) would provide a valid assessment of manual wheelchair skills. DESIGN Within-participant comparisons. SETTING Rehabilitation center in Nova Scotia, Canada. PARTICIPANTS Twenty wheelchair users, 11 with musculoskeletal and 9 with neurologic disorders, with a wide range of wheelchair experience (1wk-20y). INTERVENTION Each participant completed the questionnaire (WST-Q) and then the objective skills testing (WST, version 2.4). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The WST-Q consisted of 3 components, reported as separate versions: the knowledge version (WST-Q [K]) (structured oral questions only); the visual-aid version (WST-Q [VA]) (visual aids added for 6 of the skills); and the categorical perceived-ability version (WST-Q [PA]). RESULTS The mean total percentage scores for the WST-Q (K), WST-Q (VA), WST-Q (PA), and WST were 60.5%, 62.2%, 64.0%, and 59.8%, respectively. Only the WST-Q (PA) differed significantly from the WST (P<.05). Positive correlations existed between the objective WST and the WST-Q (K) (r=.91), WST-Q (VA) (r=.91), and WST-Q (PA) (r=.83). The percentage agreement on the individual skill scores ranged from 55% to 100%. CONCLUSIONS The algorithm-based WST-Q has excellent concurrent validity in comparison with objective testing, when assessing the overall manual wheelchair skill levels of wheelchair users with a wide range of experience. It may be useful as a screening tool or when objective testing is impractical.

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