The meaning ascribed to wheeled mobility devices by individuals who use wheelchairs and scooters: a metasynthesis

Abstract

Purpose: To synthesize qualitative study findings on the meaning ascribed to wheelchairs and wheeled mobility devices (WMD) by WMD users.

Method: Bibliographic databases were systematically searched up to January 2015 to identify relevant papers. Reviewers selected studies, assessed methodological quality and thematically synthesized findings using a metasynthesis process described by Thomas and Harden (2008).

Results: Twenty articles were included. Four descriptive themes emerged: physical environment interaction; sociocultural experiences; participation in activities and occupations; and WMD–self relationship. WMD use was found to be a complex experience that can fluctuate through interaction with aspects of the environment and opportunities for participation. The analytic theme, dynamic duality of WMD experience, addressed the simultaneous enabling and disabling aspects of WMD use.

Conclusions: Metasyntheses enable researchers to gain a deeper understanding of issues by examining findings across studies. Findings of this study provide a framework for understanding the complexity of WMD use. The framework has practical applications for clinicians and users of WMD in understanding the experience of WMD to be neither singular nor static.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The meaning of wheeled mobility device (WMD) use is dynamically influenced by the environment and opportunities afforded for occupational and social participation.

• A duality of experiences can emerge for WMD users, where wheeled mobility use can be at the same time positive and negative, based on the interaction with the environment.

• Clinicians need to determine the meaning that each individual user ascribes to the WMD, and to consider how that meaning may change over time.

• By understanding the meaning ascribed to WMD use by individuals, clinicians can be better prepared to work with the WMD users to address negative reinforcers of the experience in physical and sociocultural environments as well as highlighting the positive experiences.

Keywords:

• Qualitative research
• assistive technology
• literature review
• powered mobility

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Dr Maureen O’Neill who assisted with the data management and Dr Rachel Cole for editorial assistance. Special thanks also to clinicians at The National Rehabilitation Hospital, Ireland for their comments on the findings of this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

We would like to acknowledge the University of the Sunshine Coast, Cluster for Health Improvement for an internal collaborative research grant supporting this study.