@article{ref1,
title="Investigation of factors associated with manual wheelchair mobility in persons with spinal cord injury",
journal="Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation",
year="2011",
author="Oyster, Michelle L. and Karmarkar, Amol M. and Patrick, Mary and Read, Mary Schmidt and Nicolini, Lori and Boninger, Michael L.",
volume="92",
number="3",
pages="484-490",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To 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. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Six Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems. PARTICIPANTS: People (N=132) with SCI who use a manual wheelchair as their primary means of mobility. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Wheelchair-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). RESULTS: Age 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. CONCLUSIONS: Results 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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0003-9993",
doi="10.1016/j.apmr.2010.09.025",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2010.09.025"
}