Citation

Ripat JD, Brown CL, Ethans KD. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2015; 96(6): 1117-1122.

Affiliation

University of Manitoba. Electronic address: kethans@hsc.mb.ca.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2015.01.020

PMID

25666785

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Winter weather poses challenges to community participation; it is hypothesized these challenges are greater for individuals who use scooters, manual and power wheelchairs (wheeled mobility devices, WMD) than the general ambulatory population. The research question guiding this investigation was: What do people who use WMD identify as the most salient environmental barriers to community participation in the winter? DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey organized around five environmental domains: technological, natural, physical, social/attitudinal, and policy. SETTING: Manitoba, Canada PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 99 WMD users or their proxy. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Not applicable.

RESULTS: Forty-two percent identified reduced outing frequency in winter months, associated with increased age (χ(2)= 6.4, p=0.04), lack of access to family/friends for transportation (χ(2)= 8.1, p=0.04), and primary type of WMD used in the winter (scooter χ(2)= 8.8, p=0.003). Most reported tires/casters becoming stuck in the snow (95%) or slipping on the ice (91%), difficulty ascending inclines/ramps (92%), and cold hands while using controls or pushing rims (85%); fewer identified frozen wheelchair/scooter batteries, seat cushion/back rest, or electronics. Sidewalks/roads were reported to be problematic by 99%. Eighty percent reported needing additional help in the winter. Limited community access in winter led to a sense of loneliness/isolation, and fear/anxiety related to safety. Respondents identified policies that limited participation during winter.

CONCLUSIONS: People who use WMD decrease their community participation in cold weather due to multiple environmental barriers. Clinicians, researchers, and policy-makers can take a multidimensional approach to mitigate these barriers in order to enhance community participation by WMD users in winter.

Language: en