Investigation of Factors Associated With Manual Wheelchair Mobility in Persons With Spinal Cord Injury

Oyster ML, Karmarkar AM, Patrick M, Read MS, Nicolini L, Boninger ML. Investigation of factors associated with manual wheelchair mobility in persons with spinal cord injury.ObjectiveTo quantify wheelchair mobility of persons with a spinal cord injury (SCI), and to assess the relationship between wheelchair mobility and demographics, type of manual wheelchair, and participation.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSix Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems.ParticipantsPeople (N=132) with SCI who use a manual wheelchair as their primary means of mobility.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresWheelchair-related mobility characteristics measured by a data-logging device, and community participation measured by the short form of the Craig Handicap Assessment Recording Technique (CHART).ResultsAge was found to be significantly (r=–.225, P<.01) related to average speed traveled per day. Whites were found to travel significantly further (P<.01) and accumulate more minutes per day (P<.01) compared with minorities. Participants who were employed traveled significantly further (P<.01), faster (P<.01), and for more minutes per day (P<.01) compared with those who were not employed. A moderate relationship (r=.245–.390) was found between wheelchair mobility data and CHART total score.ConclusionsResults suggest a need for future investigation of the factors that influence wheelchair mobility and community participation of persons with SCI. Findings indicate the efficacy of a quantitative method to track wheelchair mobility in community settings, which could serve as a way of identifying community participation for persons with SCI and possibly uncovering additional aspects of participation.