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Powered mobility device use: participation and accessibility

Author

  • Cecilia Pettersson

Summary, in English

This thesis elucidates the use of powered mobility devices in a Swedish context. The overall aim was to increase

and deepen the knowledge on powered mobility device use in relation to participation and accessibility in different

environments and among different user groups, with a specific focus on independence and autonomy. An additional

aim was to contribute to the knowledge base regarding the optimization of use of such devices. The thesis is based

on four studies in which different research approaches were applied through the combination of different types of

data in order to interpret the complexity of powered mobility device use. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods

were utilized. The first study was a prospective cohort study in which data was collected using structured interviews

at baseline and two follow-ups. The second study was an exploratory multiple longitudinal case study. A focus-group

methodology with a descriptive design was used in the third study. The fourth study was a cross-sectional study based

on survey data collected from people with spinal cord injury. The main contribution of the studies that constitute the

empirical basis of this thesis is that the purpose of providing people with powered mobility devices is mostly fulfilled

in that such devices provide their users’ with greater opportunities for participation. Nevertheless, there are also

problems in terms of accessibility in various environmental arenas that have an impact on mobility. An additional

important contribution is that the results show that the experiences of users of powered mobility devices should be

taken seriously as they convey different aspects of how the use of such devices could be optimized. In conclusion,

this thesis contributes to our understanding of the use of powered mobility devices and has the potential to optimize

independence in terms of mobility and participation among users of such devices. Finally, the results have practical

implications for occupational therapy in the provision of powered mobility devices. Likewise, this new knowledge

about the needs of powered mobility device users in terms of accessibility are of importance to politicians, professionals

and other stakeholders engaged in housing provision and physical planning.

Publishing year

2014

Language

English

Publication/Series

Lund University Faculty of Medicine Doctoral Dissertation Series

Volume

2014:96

Document type

Dissertation

Publisher

Active and Healthy Ageing Research Group, Lund university

Topic

  • Gerontology, specializing in Medical and Health Sciences

Keywords

  • autonomy
  • environmental barrier
  • focus groups
  • housing adaptation
  • housing enabler
  • independence
  • mobility
  • mobility-related participation
  • occupational therapy
  • powered scooter
  • powered wheelchair
  • spinal cord injury

Status

Published

Project

  • Home, Health and Disability along the Process of Ageing

Research group

  • Active and Healthy Ageing Research Group

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1652-8220
  • ISBN: 978-91-7619-025-8

Defence date

26 September 2014

Defence time

13:00

Defence place

Hörsal 1, Health Sciences Centre, Barav 3, Lund

Opponent

  • Margareta Lilja