Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale in a Large Sample of People With Neuromuscular, Neurological, or Hearing Disabilities

Brief research report[Abstract] Assistive technology (AT) is any device, software, or equipment designed for and used by individuals with disabilities to engage in everyday activities and achieve independence. However, the usefulness of those technology-based or supported treatments is a complex issue that has led to the development of various conceptual models for assistive technology outcomes research and practice as well as different assessment tools that help to explore the effect of technology on people's lives. One of those instruments is the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Device Scale (PIADS), a 26-item questionnaire that measures the psychosocial impact of interventions, using assistive devices in three quality-of-life domains: competence, adaptability, and self-esteem. PIADS scale has been translated and adapted to several languages, and it has been successfully used to measure AT outcomes in different disability profiles to predict abandonment or even as a relevant determinant of future adoption of eHealth. Quinteiro (2010) adapted PIADS to Spanish for the first time, although no studies have yet been published to systematically study its psychometric properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate measurement properties of the Spanish version of PIADS scale by means of a dataset obtained from its application to a large sample (n = 417) of people with neuromuscular, neurological, or hearing disabilities that used different assistive devices. The results will provide valuable indicators about the measurement quality of the Spanish PIADS scale and will help to promote the use of reliable and valid AT outcome assessment tools for research and clinical purposes.Fundación Memoria Samuel Solórzano; FS/16-2015Xunta de Galicia; ED431G 2019/01Partial support was received from Fundación Memoria Samuel Solórzano (Grant FS/16-2015) and Centro de Investigación de Galicia CITIC, funded by Xunta de Galicia and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund- Galicia 2014-2020 Program) by Grant ED431G 2019/01

The overlooked outcome measure for spinal cord injury: use of assistive devices

Although several outcome measures are used to assess various areas of interest regarding spinal cord injuries (SCIs), little is known about the frequency of their use, and the ways in which they transform shared knowledge into implemented practices. Herein, 800 professionals from the International Spinal Cord Society, especially trained for caring in patients with SCI, were invited to respond to an Internet survey collecting information on the use of standardized measures in daily clinical practices. We asked both clinicians and researchers with different areas of interest about their use of functional outcome measures, and, in particular, which scales they habitually use to assess various aspects of clinical practice and rehabilitation. We selected a set of rating scales, which were validated for measuring SCIs (http://www.scireproject.com/outcome-measures). The results show that the areas of interest assessed by most of the participants were neurological status, upper limb, lower limb gait, pain, spasticity, self-care, and daily living. The most widely used rating scales were the spinal cord independence measure, the functional independence measure and the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury. Instead, the majority of respondents did not evaluate the use of assistive technology. Despite the availability of several outcome scales, the practice of evaluating SCIs with standardized measures for assistive technologies and wheelchair mobility is still not widespread, even though it is a high priority in the rehabilitation of SCI patients. The results emphasize the need for a more thorough knowledge and use of outcome scales, thus improving the quality of assistive device evaluation

The psychosocial impact of assistive device scale: Italian validation in a cohort of nonambulant people with neuromotor disorders

The importance of adaptive seating system on body structure and function is widely accepted, but its impact on psychosocial aspects needs more consideration by health professionals. This article describes the Italian validation of the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Device Scale (IT-PIADS) for non-ambulant people with neuromotor disorders. Once agreement has been given by the original authors, the scale was translated and adapted to the Italian culture. The IT-PIADS was administered to different wheelchairs users with heterogeneous diagnosis. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were examined. Its concurrent validity was evaluated with the Italian version of the WheelCon-M-SF. The IT-PIADS was administered to 87 subjects. Cronbach's α was 0.92 (p < 0.05), and the testretest reliability (ICC) for competence, adaptability and self-esteem subscales were 0.96, 0.90, 0.93 respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient of the IT-PIADS with the WheelCon-M-I-SF scores showed significant data for competence and adaptability subscales. Psychosocial perception on assistive devices can be reliably measure. The IT-PIADS showed good psychometric properties and it is possible to confirm its validity for clinical and research purposes. Nevertheless, before using this measure with greater confidence, further psychometric properties tests of the IT-PIADS are recommended

Assistive devices, hip precautions, environmental modifications and training to prevent dislocation and improve function after hip arthroplasty

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: The aim of this review is to assess the effects of provision of assistive devices, education on hip precautions, environmental modifications and training in ADL and EADL for people undergoing hip arthroplasty

Towards the development of the psychosocial impact of assistive devices scale for continence (C-PIADS)

BACKGROUND: Current outcome measures for continence management devices do not adequately address psychosocial impact. The PIADS is an assessment tool that has been shown to reliably predict the adoption and use of assistive technology devices, but it is not widely used for continence devices. OBJECTIVE: To explore whether the PIADS requires modification to address the particular needs of continence device users and to inform any subsequent item development. METHODS: The study used interpretive methods in which qualitative information from semi-structured interviews was combined with the findings from cognitive interviews for questionnaire pre-testing. A total of 40 participants in UK and Canada were interviewed. RESULTS: Few participants had difficulty in understanding or relating to the majority of PIADS items. Several items were not considered relevant to continence and some areas for potential new items were uncovered. Embarrassment and concealment of urinary incontinence from others were common topics. CONCLUSIONS: The PIADS appears to fundamentally address many, but not all, of the important psychosocial concerns of adults who have continence difficulties. A version for continence, the C-PIADS, will require modification of the PIADS and is likely to contain some new items

ARATA’s response to the NDIA’s assistive technology discussion paper

The Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) responds to the NDIA’s AT Discussion Paper, and advocates that roles for all stakeholders must be considered.  • Summary of ARATA\u27s key recommendations arising from the Discussion Paper: 1. Evaluate outcomes from AT provision in trial sites and other systems to inform in the development of procurement and service delivery policy, consumer supports, and continuing professional development. 2. Support practitioners and researchers to validate existing AT service models for use in Australia. 3. Assist ARATA and other key stakeholders to develop a national accreditation system for AT practitioners and suppliers. 4. Investigate and document the roles, activities, and scope of practice of suppliers and peer mentors in AT service delivery, and associated outcomes for AT users. 5. Ensure the coupling of AT devices with appropriate soft technology support for device selection, implementation and review. 6. Investigate the efficacy and potential expansion of existing peer and consumer networking channels. 7. Support research into consumer use of information and decision-making in AT provision. 8. Fund independent AT information services and explore options for facilitating consumer ratings of products and services. 9. Identify AT products not yet available on the Australian market. 10. Fund research into AT development and commercialisation in Australia.&nbsp

Exercise interventions for adults and children with cerebral palsy (Protocol)

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: - The primary aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the effect of exercise interventions on activity, participation, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults and children with CP. - The secondary aim is to evaluate the effect of exercise interventions on body functions and body structures.Jennifer M Ryan is receiving funding from Action Medical Research and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Charitable Trust to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of resistance training in adolescents with cerebral palsy

Outcomes or impact? when the difficult to measure results appears: the experience in Spain

[Abstract] Interventions based on the use of Assistive Technology (AT) are a common strategy to promote improved participation and quality of life. Access to appropriate AT is considered a fundamental human right. However, the potential advantages of using AT are limited by a wide variety of factors that must be taken into account when prescribing the use of a particular product. That is why research on outcome measurement is absolutely necessary, being essential to carry out an adequate assessment of the user's needs with reliable measurement tools to improve decision making for the prescription and adaptations of AT. In Spain, the research related to outcome measures in AT is deficient, because there are not many specific measurement instruments that are validated in the Spanish population. A review of the state of the art about the application of outcome measures in Spain is presented and compared with other European countries. The main challenge is to design and implement a suitable proposal to improve the approach and quality of the AT system. That new approach has to get the consideration from all stakeholders (policymakers, health managers, health professionals and the community) to integrate the measurement of impact derived by the use of AT on the policy goals in the health and social system of the country