Souza, Ana Elisa
(2011)
Impact of mobility aids on people with multiple sclerosis.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
The use of mobility assistive (MAT) devices has been pointed out as important factors to improve impaired mobility. The overall purpose of the study was to investigate the benefits of a new MAT device among people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This dissertation was based on three studies that investigated characteristics of MAT devices mostly used by adults with MS and the compliance of scooters, popular MAT devices among this population within three studies.The first study was a systematic literature review of research related to the use of mobility assistive technology (MAT) devices among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Results of this systematic review showed that there are limited numbers of articles with higher levels of evidence were found in regards to use of MAT benefits specifically for adults with MS. The second study investigated the impact of MAT devices on quality of life, community participation and satisfaction with MAT devices of this population. We collected information of participants who came to two specialized seating and mobility clinics in Western Pennsylvania and MS support groups. Overall, participants' reported an increase in physical independence among participants who received new MAT devices. Satisfaction with MAT device at follow up increased particularly among participants who transitioned from non-wheeled to wheeled MAT devices. The third study investigated compliance of 4 scooter models with ANSI/RESNA standards. Our results suggest that scooters currently available may not meet ANSI/RESNA standards. These results have serious implications to the users who rely on these devices to conduct their daily activities. Furthermore, these results indicate that the regulatory framework to ensure these devices are safe may need to be revised.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
1 September 2011 |
| Date Type: |
Completion |
| Defense Date: |
11 August 2011 |
| Approval Date: |
1 September 2011 |
| Submission Date: |
16 August 2011 |
| Access Restriction: |
5 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 5 years. |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences > Rehabilitation Science |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
assistive technology; mobility; multiple sclerosis; wheelchairs |
| Other ID: |
http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-08162011-190438/, etd-08162011-190438 |
| Date Deposited: |
10 Nov 2011 19:59 |
| Last Modified: |
19 Dec 2016 14:37 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9132 |
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