International research priorities on the role of cognition in power mobility device use: In pursuit of informed clinical practices and knowledge translation

ABSTRACT

Cognition is an important factor affecting power mobility device (PMD) use. However, a gap in knowledge on the role of cognition in PMD use limits evidence of best practices for screening, assessment, and training. The overall goal of this research activity was to identify strategic research priorities to delineate the next steps in research. Following the Collaborative Prioritized Planning Process (CP3), a 1.5-day meeting was held with an interdisciplinary and international team of assistive technology users, clinicians, service providers, and researchers with expertise in PMD use and cognition. Our four-stage process included: knowledge synthesis; identification and prioritization of challenges; identification, consolidation, and prioritization of solutions; and action planning. Five of 14 challenges for research on cognition and PMD use were prioritized, and five solutions (of the 100 generated) perceived to be the most impactful were selected as the focus for the remainder of the meeting. The resulting prioritized solutions included, improving knowledge translation of existing and new evidence, profiling and addressing individualized needs, creating and evaluating training tools, development of practice guidelines, and validating and developing evaluation tools or toolkit. Preliminary action planning facilitated discussion of potential future projects, initiated new research collaborations and partnerships, and provided a foundation to build a program of research for investigating the role of cognition in PMD use.

KEYWORDS:

• cognitive impairment
• consensus
• mobility
• wheeled mobility aids

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Anne-Sophie Allaire for her outstanding preparation for the meeting and coordinating all travel, accommodation, and catering needs. We would also like to thank Josiane Lettre and Caroline Rahn, who provided organizational support over the two days. Finally, the authors would like to thank all invitees who shared their expertise over the 1.5-day meeting, and especially Dr. Chantal Chavoix for her stimulating keynote presentation.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Notes

¹ Collaborative Prioritized Planning Process – Guidance Document. Mongoose Consulting.

Avaliable: https://mongooseconsulting.ca/cp3/

² https://wheelchairskillsprogram.ca/en/publications-impact/

³ ISO 21,801–1:2020 Cognitive accessibility – Part 1: General guidelines

⁴ ANSI/RESNA CA-1:2018 Universal Criteria for Reporting the Cognitive Accessibility of Products and Technologies

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) through a Planning and Dissemination Grant no. 164981. Drs. Best, Lamontagne and Routhier received salary support from the Quebec Health Research Funds (FRQS). Dr. Smith received salary support from a CIHR Fellowship.