Development of a Wheelchair Skills Home Program for Older Adults Using a Participatory Action Design Approach

Abstract EN

Restricted mobility is the most common impairment among older adults and a manual wheelchair is often prescribed to address these limitations.

However, limited access to rehabilitation services results in older adults typically receiving little or no mobility training when they receive a wheelchair.

As an alternative and novel approach, we developed a therapist-monitored wheelchair skills home training program delivered via a computer tablet.

To optimize efficacy and adherence, principles of self-efficacy and adult learning theory were foundational in the program design.

A participatory action design approach was used to engage older adult wheelchair users, care providers, and prescribing clinicians in an iterative design and development process.

A series of prototypes were fabricated and revised, based on feedback from eight stakeholder focus groups, until a final version was ready for evaluation in a clinical trial.

Stakeholder contributions affirmed and enhanced the foundational theoretical principles and provided validation of the final product for the target population.