The French-Canadian WheelCon for manual wheelchair users: paediatric adaptation and preliminary evaluation of its measurement properties.

PURPOSE

To adapt the Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale for Manual Wheelchair Users, French-Canadian Version (WheelCon-M-F) into a paediatric version (WheelCon-M-F-P) and to evaluate its validity.

METHODS

A three-phase process was conducted: (1) item adaptation using secondary analysis of focus group data; (2) item refinement using a think-aloud process; and (3) preliminary validation of the WheelCon-M-F-P (i.e. internal consistency, test-retest reliability, standard error of measurement, smallest real difference, ceiling and floor effects, limits of agreement, and relations with other variables).

RESULTS

Phase 1: The sample consisted of occupational therapists ( = 9), paediatric manual wheelchair users (PMWUs) ( = 12), and parents of PMWUs ( = 2). Of the 65 WheelCon-M-F items, 35 were removed, 25 modified and 6 were added for the WheelCon-M-F-P. Phase 2: 4 PMWUs helped refine 14 and remove 3 items. Phase 3: 22 PMWUs participated. Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability, standard error of measurement, and smallest real difference were 0.846, 0.818, 3.05, and 8.45 respectively. No ceiling or floor effects were demonstrated. Pearson correlations between the WheelCon-M-F-P and the Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (capacity, confidence, and performance), and the Child Occupational Self-Assessment were 0.688, 0.711, 0.584, and 0.687 respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides preliminary evidence of a valid and reliable WheelCon-M-F-P.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale for Manual Wheelchair Users, French-Canadian Version (WheelCon-M-F-P) is an outcome measure that can be used clinically with pediatric manual wheelchair users.The WheelCon-M-F-P can help identify modifiable factors associated with wheelchair confidence.Identifying modifiable factors associated with wheelchair confidence can help guide clinicians in establishing a targeted intervention for their pediatric clients.Establishing a targeted intervention can help improve self-efficacy for wheelchair use and social participation of pediatric wheelchair users.