- Browse by Subject
Browsing by Subject "Skills on Wheels"
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Skills on Wheels: Caregiver Perspectives on the Design and Long-Term Impact of a Pediatric Wheelchair Skills Training Program(2023-05-03) Loeser, Madison; Chase, Tony; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Stead, Tiffany; Chase, TonyWell-researched, formal manual wheelchair skills training programs are novel developments, and skills training programs specifically for pediatric manual wheelchair users are even more new and uncommon, particularly in the United States. Clinicians and researchers in Indianapolis developed the Skills on Wheels program in 2021 to close this gap in services and provide pediatric manual wheelchair users training on the skills necessary to access their environments safely, confidently, and independently. The initial quantitative findings from the first two iterations of this Indianapolis-based program demonstrated positive changes in all factors assessed. As the program approached its third iteration in April 2023, stakeholders voiced curiosity as to the long-term impact of the program on participants, and developers continued to desire to better refine program design. Via semi-structured interviews with caregivers of participants in the 2021 and 2022 Skills on Wheels program iterations, I gathered qualitative data from the perspective of caregivers to inform (i) strengths and areas for improvement in program design and resources and (ii) the long-term impact of program participation on quality of life factors and occupational engagement at home, at school, and in the community. Results provided tangible feedback to integrate into program design and supported the distinct positive value of the Skills on Wheels program as it relates to impact on quality of life and occupational engagement for participants.Item Skills on Wheels: Development and Benefits of an Upper Extremity Home Exercise Program(2023-05-01) Hoseinpour, Niki; Albright, Megan; Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Human Sciences; Albright, MeganParticipants of the Skills on Wheels Program are manual wheelchair users who are part of pediatric population and have underlying diagnoses that has impacted their functional mobility skills, such as manual wheelchair propulsion. In some cases, this has impacted their overall upper extremity functioning as well. To have adequate manual wheelchair skills, it is essential to have strong upper extremity functioning. Research suggests that providing upper extremity home exercise programs (HEPs) can have a positive impact manual wheelchair users’ upper extremity functioning, such as their range of motion (ROM) and hand strength. Other studies have suggested that manual wheelchair users will experience chronic pain from overuse injuries due to consistent manual wheelchair propulsion in their everyday life. The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to determine the effectiveness of implementing a client centered upper extremity HEP to the Skills on Wheels program. The capstone student prepared for this by gaining clinical practice skills in the relevant focus area and conducting literature reviews. With the skills gained through preparation, the capstone student created an upper extremity HEP that was client friendly and specific. Participants of Skills on Wheels were provided with either a client centered HEP, a general HEP, or no exercises. Various outcomes were identified by the student with this implementation of an upper extremity HEP. The results suggested that although there are benefits to implementing an upper extremity HEP, there may also be implications of overuse of the upper extremity that is decreasing the participants’ overall upper extremity functioning.