Rehabcast
The audio hub for rehabilitation medicine produced by the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the field's top journal. Hosted by Dr. Ford Vox, each episode features in-depth interviews with scientists publishing in the journal and news briefs relevant to all rehabilitation clinicians. This month's episode features Investigating the Efficacy of Web-Based Transfer Training on Independent Wheelchair Transfers Through Randomized Controlled Trials, by Lynn Worobey, et al, on page 9. This podcast, and our growing collection of podcasts, is available at http://www.archives-pmr.org/content/podcast_collection.
Measurement Tool
See Measurement Characteristics and Clinical Utility of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis by Miskovic, et al on page 213. Measurement Tools, from the Rehabilitation Measures Database, are designed to facilitate the selection of outcome measures by clinicians. Previously published Tools are available at http://www.archivespmr.org/content/measurementtools.
Cognitive Rehabilitation Training
Based on the ACRM Cognitive Rehabilitation Manual: Translating Evidence-Based Recommendations into Practice, this introductory training teaches evidence-based interventions for impairments of executive functions, memory, attention, hemispatial neglect, and social communication. go to http://www.cognitiverehabilitation.org/ for details.
Call for Proposals–ACRM 2018
ACRM is now accepting submissions for the 2018 Annual Conference in Dallas. Instructional Courses, Symposia and Scientific Papers and Posters are welcome. For details on the submission process please go to http://bit.ly/2yIOpiC.
Mobility Device Quality Impacts Participation Outcomes Among People With Disabilities: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis
Magasi and colleagues tested the effect that indicators of mobility device quality have on participation outcomes in community-dwelling adults with disabilities by using structural equation modeling. Two hundred fifty community-dwelling adults with spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, or stroke used ambulation aids (30%), or manual (34%) or power wheelchairs (30%). Indicators of device quality had a moderating effect on participation outcomes, with device quality variables (ease of repairs, ease of maintenance, device reliability) accounting for 20% of the variance in participation. Wheelchair users reported lower participation enfranchisement than ambulation aid users. The authors conclude that mobility device affects participation outcomes, and that access to reliable mobility devices is critical. ■ SEE THE FULL ARTICLE AT PAGE 1
Investigating the Efficacy of Web-based Transfer Training on Independent Wheelchair Transfers through Randomized Control Trials
Worobey and colleagues studied the efficacy of a web-based wheelchair transfer training module at improving transfer technique across three groups: web-based training, in-person training, and a waitlist control group (WLCG). They also worked to determine subject factors that can be used to predict improvements in transfer ability after training. Wheelchair users (n=71) took part in an individualized, in-person transfer training session or a web-based transfer training module. The WLCG received the web training at their follow-up visit. The in-person and web-based training groups improved their median scores as compared to the WLCG, and participants retained improvements at follow-up. The authors conclude that transfer training can improve technique with changes retained within a short follow-up window, even among experienced wheelchair users. Web-based transfer training demonstrated comparable improvements to in-person training. ■ SEE THE FULL ARTICLE AT PAGE 9
Rasch Analyses of the Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale for Power Wheelchair Users
The Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale for Manual Wheelchair Users (WheelCon-M) is a questionnaire used to measure confidence with using a manual wheelchair. The WheelCon-P is a modification of this questionnaire that is applicable for power wheelchair users, and investigations are beginning to report on the use of the WheelCon-P as an important outcome measure. Sakakibara and colleagues examined the dimensionality of the WheelCon-P. Eleven mobility items and five social situation items fit the Rasch Rating Scale model. Three items misfit the model. The authors conclude that the scores from the WheelCon-P Short Form, and the 11-item mobility and 5-item social situation dimensions using a 0 to 10 response scale, have good reliability. ■ SEE THE FULL ARTICLE AT PAGE 17
Community Use of Physical and Occupational Therapy After Stroke and Risk of Hospital Readmission
Freburger and colleagues investigated whether receipt of therapy, as well as number and timing of therapy visits, decreased hospital readmission risk in stroke survivors discharged home (N=23,413). During the first 30 days after discharge, 31% of patients saw a therapist in the home, 11% saw a therapist in an outpatient setting, and 59% did not see a therapist. Relative to patients who had no therapist contact, those who saw an outpatient therapist were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital. While the point estimates did not reach statistical significance, there was also some suggestion that the greater the number of therapist visits in the home and the sooner the visits started, the lower the risk of hospital readmission. The authors conclude that individuals who received outpatient therapy in the first 30 days after discharge were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital in the subsequent 30 days. ■ SEE THE FULL ARTICLE AT PAGE 26
