Effectiveness of Wheelchair Skills Training for Caregivers of Manual Wheelchair Users

Inclusion criteria

for caregiver and wheelchair user dyad

• be ≥ 18 years of age
• able to communicate in English
• be willing to participate and be committed to setting regularly scheduled times for the study activities
• will need to have the appropriate connectivity for the remote training and testing (i.e. telephone, limited-access e-mail and internet).

Exclusion criteria

for caregiver and wheelchair user dyad :

• fail to complete the baseline (T1) assessment
• have unstable medical conditions (e.g. angina, seizures) that might make the use of a manual wheelchair dangerous
• emotional problems (e.g. severe anxiety, depression) that might make participation unsafe or unpleasant
• have a medical condition that is likely to deteriorate in the three months following enrollment.

Inclusion criteria

for wheelchair user

• a person who uses a manual wheelchair
• be expected to continue to use a manual wheelchair at least part-time in the coming months
• requires no more than minimal assistance for communication and auditory comprehension

Inclusion criteria

for caregiver of wheelchair user

-must be a caregiver (e.g. a family member, friend, volunteer or regular homecare worker) who spends an average total of at least 2 hours per week with the manual wheelchair user that includes manual wheelchair mobility.