Effectiveness of custom seating and mobility services for individuals with disabilities in Guatemala

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of custom seating and mobility services provided via an international service learning (ISL) model on the occupational performance of individuals with disabilities in Guatemala. A one-group prospective pretest-posttest design was implemented using the standardized Wheelchair Outcome Measure (WhOM – Spanish) administered on the day of wheelchair fitting, and at 3- and 6-month intervals after receiving seating and mobility services. A two-tailed t-test demonstrated a statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement in satisfaction for in-home and out-of-home occupations for all participants (n = 71) at 3-months with a huge effect size (d > 2) and this improvement was maintained at the 6-month interval. The results were consistent for various areas of occupational performance (e.g. activities of daily living). The provision of customized seating and mobility services by occupational therapists through an ISL model demonstrated effectiveness at improving satisfaction with occupational performance for individuals with disabilities in Guatemala. Cultural humility, customization of equipment based on personal and environmental factors, inclusion of education and training, and collaboration with in-country partners were identified as contributors to positive outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Custom seating and mobility services provided by licensed occupational therapists via an international service learning (ISL) model demonstrated a significant improvement on the occupational performance of individuals with disabilities in Guatemala.

• The customization of equipment based on environmental and personal factors and the provision of education and training were identified as contributors to positive outcomes.

• Rehabilitation services delivered using an ISL model should be developed and implemented with cultural humility in collaboration with in-country partners.

Keywords:

• Seating and mobility
• international service learning
• outcomes
• effectiveness

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Ben and Emily Mooney and the entire team at Bethel Ministries International for facilitating the study and their ongoing service in Guatemala. Special thanks to study author Gilma Oajaca, a Guatemalan social worker, who completed all data collection and translation of participant responses. Most importantly, the authors acknowledge our study participants who were willing to share their experience to advocate for the needs of individuals with disabilities worldwide.

Disclosure statement

The authors of this study have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.