Powered mobility device use: participation and accessibility
Author
Summary, in English
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.
Department/s
Publishing year
2014
Language
English
Publication/Series
Lund University Faculty of Medicine Doctoral Dissertation Series
Volume
2014:96
Full text
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
Supervisor
- Susanne Iwarsson
- Åse Brandt
- Eva Månsson Lexell
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