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Life-Space Mobility of Middle-Aged and Older Adults at Various Stages of Usage of Power Mobility Devices

2010; Elsevier BV; Volume: 91; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.apmr.2010.01.018

1532-821X

Claudine Auger, Louise Demers, Isabelle Gélinas, William C. Miller, Jeffrey W. Jutai, Luc Noreau,

Urban Transport and Accessibility

To examine whether the impact of power mobility devices (PMDs) varies as a function of stage of usage and to explore key factors associated with greater life-space mobility for middle-aged and older adults.Multicohort study with respondents grouped as a function of stage of PMD usage (reference group with mobility impairments, n=42; initial users, 1-6mo, n=35; long-term users, 12-18mo, n=39). Cohorts were compared with respect to life-space mobility in a continuum of environments ranging from home to outside town, using analysis of variance and chi-square tests. Baseline personal, assistive device, intervention, and environmental factors associated with life-space mobility were explored with age-adjusted linear regression models.Four Canadian rehabilitation centers.Random sample of middle-aged and older adults (N=116; 50-89y) living in the community or residential care.Procurement of a powered wheelchair or scooter.Life-Space Assessment composite score.Cohort comparisons showed higher frequency of outings for PMD users in the neighborhood (P<.001) and around home (P<.05) and significantly greater Life-Space Assessment composite scores for initial and long-term users than for the reference group (P<.05). Factors such as sex, the nature of activities, and device type explained variances in Life-Space Assessment composite score ranging from 15.9% to 18.0% (P<.006).Life-space mobility increases after PMD use and remains stable across the stages of initial and long-term use. To appreciate the impact of PMDs, clinicians should consider the environment and a combination of personal and device factors that are associated with the range of life-space mobility in the first 18 months after procurement.