Environmental barriers to participation and facilitators for use of three types of assistive technology devices

The aim was to compare the presence of environmental barriers to participation and facilitators for assistive technology (AT) use and study the relation between barriers and AT use in three different AT devices. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Inclusion criteria were ≥one year of experience...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Assistive technology 2019, Vol.31 (2), p.68-76
Main Authors: Widehammar, Cathrine, Lidström, Helene, Hermansson, Liselotte
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Artificial Limbs
Cross-Sectional Studies
Disabled Persons
Electronic aids to daily living
Environment Design
Equipment and Supplies Utilization
Female
Health technology assessment
Humans
information technology and telecommunications
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Participation
prosthetics
Self-Help Devices
service delivery
Surveys and Questionnaires
Sweden
wheelchair transportation
wheeled mobility aids
Young Adult
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Summary:The aim was to compare the presence of environmental barriers to participation and facilitators for assistive technology (AT) use and study the relation between barriers and AT use in three different AT devices. A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Inclusion criteria were ≥one year of experience as a user of myoelectric prosthesis (MEP), powered mobility device (PMD), or assistive technology for cognition (ATC) and age 20-90 years. Overall, 156 participants answered the Swedish version of the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors and a study-specific questionnaire on facilitating factors. Non-parametric tests were used for comparisons. Barriers to participation were lowest in MEP users (md=0.12; p>0.001), and highest in ATC users (md=1.56; p>0.001) with the least support for AT use (p>0.001 - p=0.048). A positive correlation between fewer barriers and higher use of MEP was seen (r=0.30, p=0.038). The greatest barriers to participation were Natural environment, Surroundings and Information, and the most support came from relatives and professionals. Support, training and education are vital in the use of AT. These factors may lead to a more sustained and prolonged use of AT and may enable increased participation. Future research should focus on interventions that meet the needs of people with cognitive disabilities.
ISSN:1040-0435
1949-3614
1949-3614
DOI:10.1080/10400435.2017.1363828