Influence of Roulez avec confiance, a peer-led community-based wheelchair skills training program, on manual wheelchair users

Abstract

Purpose

Few studies have demonstrated that peer-led manual wheelchair (MWC) skills training can increase MWC skills, MWC use self-efficacy and satisfaction with participation of MWC users. Limited information is available on MWC skills training in the community. The primary objective was to measure the influence of Roulez avec confiance (RAC, which translated to “Wheeling with confidence”), a peer-led community-based wheelchair skills training program, on satisfaction with participation. The secondary objectives were to explore the: (1) influence of RAC on MWC use self-efficacy, MWC skills, and quality of life; (2) experiences of the participants who completed RAC and (3) three-month retention of outcomes.

Methods

A parallel mixed design was used with validated questionnaires on satisfaction with participation (WhOM), MWC use self-efficacy (WheelCon-M), MWC skills (WST-Q), quality of life (SWLS) and a semi-structured interview on participants’ experiences. Non-parametric longitudinal analyses of the questionnaires and thematic content analysis of the interviews were completed.

Results

Nineteen community-dwelling MWC users participated. There was a statistically significant increase (p < 0.0001) in all outcomes except quality of life (p = 0.16). Improvements were retained after three months. Participants mentioned their background influenced their experiences in RAC. Positive elements about RAC and areas for improvement were discussed. Participants reported overall positive social experiences and stated that the physical environment influenced RAC. Finally, participants spoke about what they learned and emotions they felt during RAC.

Conclusions

Peer-led community-based MWC training influenced satisfaction with participation, MWC skills, and MWC use self-efficacy. This study was a first step in demonstrating the efficiency of RAC.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Limited information is available on manual wheelchair skills training in the community.

• Peer-led community-based manual wheelchair training influenced satisfaction with participation, manual wheelchair skills and use self-efficacy.

• This study was a first step in demonstrating the efficiency of Roulez Avec Confiance.

Keywords:

• Peer group
• wheelchair
• satisfaction with participation
• self-efficacy
• quality of life

Acknowledgements

The authors thank students and research professionals that participated in the supervision of the sessions of RAC. They also acknowledge Jean Leblond, Ph.D., statistician, for his support in the analysis of the quantitative data.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé in collaboration with the SPOR Quebec SUPPORT Unit, l’équipe Participation sociale et villes inclusives (Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture grant #2019-SE7-254118), the Canadian Disability Participation Project (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada grant #895-2013-1021), l’Ordre des ergothérapeutes du Québec, and the Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation.