Manual wheelchair tilt-rest skill: a cross-sectional survey of awareness and capacity among wheelchair users

<p><b>Purpose:</b> The tilt-rest skill consists of tipping the wheelchair back and allowing it to rest against a solid object with the wheel locks applied (e.g., for pressure redistribution, neck comfort or hands-free activities). The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of experienced manual wheelchair users who are aware of this skill and who can perform it.</p> <p><b>Materials and methods:</b> We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 49 manual wheelchair users using a questionnaire developed for the purpose. The tilt-rest skill was attempted by those who reported that they were capable of performing it.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Participants’ mean (SD) age was 55.1 (18.2) years, 38 (77.6%) were male, their median (IQR) duration of wheelchair use was 2 (7.2) years and their mean (SD) daily time spent in the wheelchair was 9.5 (4.6) hours. Twenty-seven (55.1%) participants were aware of the skill, 19 (38.8%) reported being able to perform the skill and 16 of 47 (34.0%) were able to demonstrate the skill. Multivariate modelling with the question “Can you complete the tilt-rest skill?” as the dependent measure revealed an inverse relationship with age – Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval) of 0.476 (0.293, 0.774) (<i>p</i> = .0028) for each 10 year increase in age.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Only just over half of manual wheelchair users are aware of the tilt-rest skill and one-third of users can perform it. Older people are less likely to report being able to complete the skill. These findings have implications for wheelchair skills training during the wheelchair-provision process.Implications for Rehabilitation</p><p>Only just over half of manual wheelchair users are aware of the tilt-rest skill and only about one-third of users can perform it.</p><p>Older people are less likely to report being able to complete the skill.</p><p>These findings have clinical implications for wheelchair skills training during the, specifically that clinicians responsible for manual wheelchair-provision process should ensure that appropriate wheelchair users have the opportunity to learn this skill.</p><p></p> <p>Only just over half of manual wheelchair users are aware of the tilt-rest skill and only about one-third of users can perform it.</p> <p>Older people are less likely to report being able to complete the skill.</p> <p>These findings have clinical implications for wheelchair skills training during the, specifically that clinicians responsible for manual wheelchair-provision process should ensure that appropriate wheelchair users have the opportunity to learn this skill.