The French-Canadian WheelCon for manual wheelchair users: paediatric adaptation and preliminary evaluation of its measurement properties

Abstract

Purpose

To adapt the Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale for Manual Wheelchair Users, French-Canadian Version (WheelCon-M-F) into a paediatric version (WheelCon-M-F-P) and to evaluate its validity.

Methods

A three-phase process was conducted: (1) item adaptation using secondary analysis of focus group data; (2) item refinement using a think-aloud process; and (3) preliminary validation of the WheelCon-M-F-P (i.e. internal consistency, test-retest reliability, standard error of measurement, smallest real difference, ceiling and floor effects, limits of agreement, and relations with other variables).

Results

Phase 1: The sample consisted of occupational therapists (n = 9), paediatric manual wheelchair users (PMWUs) (n = 12), and parents of PMWUs (n = 2). Of the 65 WheelCon-M-F items, 35 were removed, 25 modified and 6 were added for the WheelCon-M-F-P. Phase 2: 4 PMWUs helped refine 14 and remove 3 items. Phase 3: 22 PMWUs participated. Cronbach’s alpha, test-retest reliability, standard error of measurement, and smallest real difference were 0.846, 0.818, 3.05, and 8.45 respectively. No ceiling or floor effects were demonstrated. Pearson correlations between the WheelCon-M-F-P and the Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (capacity, confidence, and performance), and the Child Occupational Self-Assessment were 0.688, 0.711, 0.584, and 0.687 respectively.

Conclusions

This study provides preliminary evidence of a valid and reliable WheelCon-M-F-P.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• The Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale for Manual Wheelchair Users, French-Canadian Version (WheelCon-M-F-P) is an outcome measure that can be used clinically with pediatric manual wheelchair users.

• The WheelCon-M-F-P can help identify modifiable factors associated with wheelchair confidence.

• Identifying modifiable factors associated with wheelchair confidence can help guide clinicians in establishing a targeted intervention for their pediatric clients.

• Establishing a targeted intervention can help improve self-efficacy for wheelchair use and social participation of pediatric wheelchair users.

Keywords:

• Wheelchair confidence
• questionnaire
• paediatric wheelchair users
• validity
• reliability

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the children, their parents, and the occupational therapists who participated and contributed to this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

Salary/scholarship funds were provided by the Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé Junior 1Research Scholar Award (Paula Rushton).