The tool is used to quantify the mobility of individuals with SCI who use a wheelchair through the assessment of motor tasks such as moving from lying to sitting; completing a horizontal transfer; completing a vertical transfer; pushing a wheelchair on flat ground; pushing a wheelchair up/down ramps; and negotiating curbs in a wheelchair (Harvey et al. 1998).

Number of items: 6

Procedure/Administration: This is a performance based assessment. For each task, subjects are scored on a six-point scale with 6 representing complete independence, and 1 representing total assistance.  Patients must perform the tasks in the following order: Task 1) supine to long sitting; Task 2) horizontal transfer; Task 3) vertical transfer; Task 4) push on flat; Task 5) push on ramp; Task 6) negotiate curbs. For tasks 2 through 6, the patients are allowed three attempts with the best score recorded.  If a task is not attempted, ‘not applicable’ is recorded.

How scored: Higher scores indicate greater independence. The scores for each task are not meant to be added together to give an overall score. Rather, each task is given a score and interpretation is in relation to that specific task. No norms or cut scores are available at this time.

Interpretability: N/a

Acceptability: The tool was designed specifically for individuals with paraplegia who use a manual wheelchair.

Languages: N/a

Usability: N/a

Time to administer: Less than 15 minutes

Time to score: N/a

Training required: Trained physiotherapist

Availability: N/a

Equipment required: A 25 meter hallway, cones, a 15 meter ramp, and curbs 2.5 cm and 15 cm high are required for the test.

Summary:

• The results of the assessment tool summarize the basic level of wheelchair mobility of patients in a manner that is readily understood by other professionals

Psychometric Summary

Note: TR= Test re-test; IC= Internal Consistency; Inter-O= Inter-observer; Intra-O= Intra-observer; SS= Sensitivity/Specificity; N/a= No information.

Red light= A single study involving SCI subjects which has less than adequate findings of reliability, validity, and/or responsiveness.

Yellow light= A single study involving subjects with SCI which has adequate to excellent findings of reliability, validity, and/or responsiveness.

Green light= At least 2 studies involving subjects with SCI which have adequate to excellent findings of reliability, validity, and/or responsiveness.

References

• Harvey LA, Batty J, Fahey A. Reliability of a tool for assessing mobility in wheelchair-dependent paraplegics. Spinal Cord 1998;36:427-431.
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