Power Wheelchair Use in Persons with ALS: Changes over Time

<div><p></p><p>Objectives: To survey persons with ALS at 1 month and 6 months after receiving power wheelchairs to determine long term use, comfort and function as well as the power wheelchair impact on daily tasks and quality of life.</p><p>Methods: 33-question survey and Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) was sent 1 month after getting a new power wheelchair, follow up survey sent at 6 months.</p><p>Results: Based on satisfaction and feature use survey results, at one month, 81% of users found the power wheelchair overall comfort to he high, 88% found their overall mobility to be improved and 95% found it easy to use. Their quality of life increased and pain decreased at one month and six months. According to the PIADS, the power wheelchair gave users increased ability to participate and sense of competence.</p><p>Conclusions: This study has important results for the ALS community, as it is the first to assess power wheelchair users at one month and six months after power wheelchair procurement. Our results demonstrate the impact the power wheelchair has on mobility, psychosocial issues, functional abilities and quality of life for a person with ALS.</p>