Occupational therapy intervention in paralympic sport: a look at low-cost assistive technology for wheelchair rugby

Abstract

Introduction

Paralympic sport is characterized by the pursuit of better performance in sports played by people with disabilities. In wheelchair rugby, assistive technology (AT) equipment is used to enhance athletic performance.

Objectives

Assess the AT requirements of wheelchair rugby players, identify the psychosocial factors that contribute to their performance and AT use and assess user satisfaction with the recommended and implemented AT.

Method

Descriptive explanatory case study with a quantitative approach that included four athletes from the Brazilian national wheelchair rugby squad, who answered the Athletes with Disabilities Questionnaire, the AT Device Predisposition Assessment (ATD PA-BR) and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with AT (QUEST version 2.0). Statistical analysis consisted of frequencies and percentages, as well as the scores for each instrument.

Results

Items required: harnesses, gloves and cooling vests. The AT improved athletic performance and increased the overall satisfaction score from 1.6 to 4.8 after intervention. The factors considered to determine AT success were safety, comfort and effectiveness, and the positive psychosocial factors identified were support from family and friends and sufficient income to participate in the sport.

Conclusions

The study achieved its objectives and the use of a conceptual model, standardized assessments and working in conjunction with the athletes and their trainers were essential. It is hoped that the baseline presented in this study can be used in future research in the fields of AT or parasports.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Present the intervention of the occupational therapist in Assistive Technology (AT) for paralympic athletes;

• Identify personal and contextual factors in the use of AT in parasports (attitudes, support and services);

• Present satisfaction with the AT device in parasport before and after intervention;

• Present satisfaction with the AT service provided by the occupational therapist based on the Matching Person and Technology (MPT) model.

• Understand the objectives of AT in wheelchair rugby.

• Understand the use of the MPT conceptual model and application of the AT Predisposition Assessment (ATD PA-BR) to recommend and monitor AT use in the para-athlete population.

• Know the AT devices used and customized by wheelchair rugby athletes.

Keywords:

• Assistive technology
• parasport
• participation
• occupational therapy
• assessment
• people with disabilities

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the University of Brasilia (UnB), the Research Support Foundation of the Federal District (FAP- DF), Centre for AT, Accessibility and Innovation of the Brazil Centre-West (NTAAI), the Lobos Vermelhos (Red Wolves) rugby team, and the administrators and trainers at CETEFE for authorizing and collaborating with the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest and are solely responsible for the content and writing of the article. This article is part of the Final Coursework of Gabrielle Rodrigues Alves Teixeira, presented to the University of Brasília – Ceilândia Campus as a requirement to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, under the supervision of Dr. Ana Cristina de Jesus Alves.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Research Support Foundation for the Federal District (FAP-DF).