Measurement properties of the WheelCon for powered wheelchair users.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the measurement properties of the Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale for power wheelchair users (WheelCon-P).

DESIGN

One-month test-retest design, using data from a longitudinal study of power wheelchair use.

PARTICIPANTS

Volunteer sample of 73 community dwelling, older adult experienced power wheelchair users who had a mean age of 60.5 ± 7.1 years.

METHODS

Participants completed the WheelCon-P twice to assess retest reliability. Concurrent validity was assessed by evaluating hypothesized relationships between the WheelCon-P and relevant variables.

RESULTS

The baseline mean (standard deviation) WheelCon-P score was 78.8 ± 14.5. Cronbach's α was 0.92. The one-month test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.85 (CI 0.77-0.90). Correlations ranging from r = 0.26 (social support) to r = 0.49 (wheelchair skills) were found between the WheelCon-P and the validation outcome measures.

CONCLUSION

The WheelCon-P has high internal consistency, strong retest reliability and evidence supporting its validity. Although further work is needed, the WheelCon-P may serve as a useful clinical and research tool for measuring power wheelchair confidence. Implications for rehabilitation The WheelCon-P is a reliable and valid outcome measure for assessing wheelchair confidence. This tool can be used to identify individuals with low power wheelchair confidence who require a confidence-enhancing intervention.