The pain experiences of powered wheelchair users

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the experience of pain and discomfort in users of electric-powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs (EPIOCs) provided by a National Health Service. Methods: EPIOC users receiving their chair between February and November 2002 (N = 74) were invited to participate in a telephone questionnaire/interview and 64 (aged 10–81 years) agreed. Both specific and open-ended questions examined the presence of pain/discomfort, its severity, minimizing and aggravating factors, particularly in relation to the EPIOC and its use. Results: Most EPIOC users described experiences of pain with 17% reporting severe pain. Over half felt their pain was influenced by the wheelchair and few (25%) considered their chair eased their symptoms. The most common strategy for pain relief was taking medication. Other self-help strategies included changing position, exercise and complementary therapies. Respondents emphasized the provision of backrests, armrests, footrests and cushions which might alleviate or exacerbate pain, highlighting the importance of appropriate assessment for this high dependency group. Conclusions: Users related pain to their underlying medical condition, their wheelchair or a combination of the two. User feedback is essential to ensure that the EPIOC meets health needs with minimal pain. This becomes more important as the health condition of users changes over time.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Pain is frequently experienced by users of powered wheelchairs and may be severe.

• Clinicians need to distinguish between wheelchair-related pain and pain due to an underlying health condition.

• Improved design and additional features to powered wheelchairs should reduce this pain and suffering but at a financial cost.

Keywords::

• Assistive technology
• pain
• powered wheelchairs
• users’ experiences
• wheelchair users

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the advice and assistance of Elizabeth and Peter Kemp from the National Forum of Wheelchair User Groups for initial identification of themes of relevance to wheelchair users, and to Mrs Jennifer Taylor for secretarial assistance.

Declarations of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. This work was partly funded by the North West Thames Regional Audit Fund.