Purpose: To explore the experience of pain and discomfort in users of electric powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs (EPIOCs) provided by a National Health Service. Methods: EPIOC users receiving their chair between February and November 2002 (N=74) were invited to participate in a telephone questionnaire/interview and 64 (aged 10-81) agreed. Both specific and open-ended questions examined: presence of pain/discomfort, its severity, minimising and aggravating factors, particularly in relation to

more »

... e EPIOC and its use. Results: Most EPIOC users described experiences of pain with 17% reporting severe pain. Over half felt their pain was influenced by the wheelchair and few (25%) considered their chair eased their symptoms. The commonest strategy for pain relief was taking medication. Other self help strategies included changing position, exercise and complementary therapies. Respondents emphasised the provision of backrests, armrests, footrests and cushions which might alleviate or exacerbate pain, highlighting the importance of appropriate assessment for this high dependency group. Conclusions: Users related pain to their underlying medical condition, their wheelchair, or a combination of the two. User feedback is essential to ensure the EPIOC meets health needs with minimum of pain. This becomes more important as the health condition of users changes over time. Pain in powered wheelchair users Resubmitted to Disability and Rehabilitation 25/08/2011 3 Implications for Rehabilitation • Pain is frequently experienced by users of powered wheelchairs and may be severe • Clinicians need to distinguish between wheelchair-related pain and pain due to an underlying health condition • Improved design and additional features to powered wheelchairs should reduce this pain and suffering but at a financial cost Pain in powered wheelchair users Resubmitted to Disability and Rehabilitation 25/08/2011