Device Subscale Research Articles

Accuracy and User Satisfaction for an Audible Prescription Reader Among Adults With Low Vision and Blindness

Introduction: Research is needed to support accuracy and safe self-management of prescriptions among individuals living with low vision or blindness. This study evaluated user accuracy & satisfaction with the ScripTalk® device, an audible prescription reader, among participants with low vision and blindness. Methods: This mixed methods study utilized snowball and convenience sampling through low vision support groups in Indiana. Researchers trained 23 participants (69.6% female, 30.4% male, M age = 64.04, SD = 14.7 years) to use the ScripTalk® device for reading three empty prescription bottles, equipped with radio-frequency ID labels. Accuracy represented correct responses to 12 questions about the labels’ content. The QUEST 2.0's Device Subscale (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.82) evaluated user satisfaction with the device. Participants answered six qualitative questions about their perceptions of the device. Results: Statistical analysis indicated highest frequencies of satisfaction occurred for Ease in Adjusting (100%), Comfort (100%), Ease of Use (95.6%), and the Weight (95.6%) of the device. Spearman rank order correlation coefficient tests revealed inverse relationships between participants’ accuracy rates and their satisfaction with the device's durability (rho = −0.690, p < .001) and safety & security (rho = −0.834, p < .001). Participants perceived the device as easy to use, adjustable, comfortable, and lightweight for reading prescription labels. However, the auditory quality posed challenges to identify unfamiliar prescription names. Health care professionals may need to provide additional training and practice opportunities with audible prescription readers to support consumers with low vision or blindness, particularly when new medications are prescribed.

Parents' and Therapists' Satisfaction with Four Early Childhood Power Mobility Devices.

Background. Little is known about satisfaction with power mobility devices used by young children. Purpose. Parents' and therapists' satisfaction with four early childhood power mobility devices were examined. Method. A two-phased study, comprising Trial Phase cross-sectional design and Loan Phase one-group pretest-posttest design. Parents and therapists of children 9 months to 6 years with mobility limitations completed the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction of Assistive Technology 2.0 Device Subscale (QUEST8) plus an additional device Aesthetics rating. Findings. Seventy-four parents and 42 therapists from 18 child development and rehabilitation centres participated. Parent and therapist median QUEST8 and Aesthetics scores varied across devices when trialled and over the six-month loan. Favourable median ratings had no statistically significant differences between parents and therapists. Parent ratings decreased statistically over loan period although therapists' ratings did not. Device dimensions, safety, and aesthetics were highly rated. Implications. Similarities and differences exist among parent and therapist ratings.

The Usefulness of Computer Assistive Technology for Persons with Visual Impairment

Purpose State: To evaluate the usefulness of computer assistive software technology by persons with visualimpairment in their education, employment, communication, and leisure activities.Methods: Hundred and sixteen individuals with visual impairment were recruited from the rehabilitationcenter of LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. The mean age of the study participants was 24.99 years (range16 to 48, median 42 years), and 81(69.8%) were male. QUEST (2.0) was administered to measure outcomes.Data collected were analyzed with SPSS software.Results: JAWS is the most preferred and used software 110(94.8%). Computer usage was indicated for morethan 7 hours per week by more than half of the participants 55(56.0%). The usefulness of assistive softwarewas reported for education 114(98%), communication 112(96.5%), job 52(44.82%), and leisure activities101(87.06%). Proficiency in accessing computer applications with Assistive Technology was appreciated inprograms such as MSWord 10(8.6) to 64(55.2) MS – Excel 16(13.8) to 57(49.1), MS- Powerpoint 30(25.9)to 43(37.1), Internet 19(16.4) to 54(46.6), Social websites 20(17.2) to 25(21.6) and Accountancy 5(4.3) to3(2.6). The overall QUEST mean score of 4.67 with 4.5 on device subscale and 4.8 on service subscaledemonstrated participants’ satisfaction on assistive software.Discussion: Assistive software technology can support persons having visual impairment, with gainfulemployment, social inclusion, and confidence in the community.Implications for practitioners: Assistive software technology would be very helpful to the persons withvisual impairment if they are taught and put into practise pro-actively by eye care providers.

Athletes with disability’ satisfaction with sport wheelchairs: an Italian cross sectional study

Purpose Physical activity is essential for health and well-being. People with physical disability often experience barriers in performing sports due to the lack of appropriate assistive technologies. The present research aimed to investigate athletes with disability satisfaction when using sports wheelchairs and to explore clinometric properties of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST). Materials and methods One hundred and twenty-eight athletes were involved in the present study. Data on sport discipline and wheelchair provision were collected with qualitative approach. Internal consistency and reliability of QUEST were respectively analyzed with Cronbach’s Alpha and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. Validity was investigated with the correlation of the Wheelchair Use Confidence Scale for Manual users. Results Results revealed good internal consistency (.858) and moderate inter-rater reliability for service subscale (.664) and for the total score (.675), while for device subscale (.802) reliability was high. Validity revealed moderate correlation (.300) with a p < 0.05. Qualitative analysis highlighted economic barriers as primary social determinant who affect participation in sport activities. Conclusions The present study confirms preliminary evidence of the QUEST for athletes with disability. The research group also recommends an international effort to promote a comprehensive evaluation of sports wheelchair involving rehabilitation professionals, sport technicians and people with disability. Implications for rehabilitation Economic factors linked to the purchase of a wheelchair seem being the main barrier for practising sport The Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology is a useful tool to measure athletes’ satisfaction using a wheelchair Rehabilitation professionals and sport technicians should collaborate together with people with disability in determining how choose appropriate sport wheelchairs

Determining patient satisfaction with an upper and lower extremity orthotic intervention using the QUEST 2.0: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: People with musculoskeletal conditions or other physical disabilities can experience decreased performance due to impaired functional capacity, and orthotics are often prescribed to treat these patients. A common barrier for orthotic provision is patient adherence, further studies are w arranted to better understand the relevant causes of abandonment. OBJECTIVE: To identify patient-reported determinants of satisfaction with their orthotic device in studies that used the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0 (QUEST 2.0) to determine patients’ perspective regarding the device and the service provision. METHODS: The two authors carried out the review independently using three databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Semantic Scholar) and various medical subject headings (MeSH). RESULTS: Nine total articles for the final systematic review. The QUEST 2.0 scores ranged from 3.7–4.53 for the device subscale, 3.7–4.71 for the service subscale, and 3.7–4.61 for the total score. The top three patient-reported items were effectiveness, comfort, and ease of use. The most common reasons for orthotic abandonment were pain, discomfort, wounds, or skin irritation. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should address the needs of the patient when it comes to orthotic interventions to decrease orthotic abandonment, improve functional outcomes, and promote patient-centered practice.

P.617 Nortriptyline regulates different aspects of affective-like behaviour in adolescent rats depending on the dose administered

To examine the feasibility, safety, and secondary benefit potential of exoskeleton-assisted walking with one device for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).Single-group longitudinal preliminary study with 8-week baseline, 8-week intervention, and 4-week follow-up.Outpatient MS clinic, tertiary care hospital.Participants (N=13; age range, 38–62y) were mostly women with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores ranging from 5.5 to 7.0.Exoskeleton-assisted walk training.Primary outcomes were accessibility (enrollment/screen pass), tolerability (completion/dropout), learnability (time to event for standing, walking, and sitting with little or no assistance), acceptability (satisfaction on the device subscale of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology version 2), and safety (event rates standardized to person-time exposure in the powered exoskeleton). Secondary outcomes were walking without the device (timed 25-foot walk test and 6-minute walk test distance), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), and health-related quality of life (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement and Information System pain interference and Quality of Life in Neurological Conditions fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, and positive affect and well-being).The device was accessible to 11 and tolerated by 5 participants. Learnability was moderate, with 5 to 15 sessions required to walk with minimal assistance. Safety was good; the highest adverse event rate was for skin issues at 151 per 1000 hours' exposure. Acceptability ranged from not very satisfied to very satisfied. Participants who walked routinely improved qualitatively on sitting, standing, or walking posture. Two participants improved and 2 worsened on ≥1 quality of life domain. The pattern of spasticity scores may indicate potential benefit.The device appeared feasible and safe for about a third of our sample, for whom routine exoskeleton-assisted walking may offer secondary benefits.

Antisocial Process Screening Device Subscales Predict Recidivism in an Australian Juvenile Offender Sample

The present study is the first to examine the psychometric properties of the self-report Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD-SR), and the predictive utility of its subscales for reoffending, among Australian juvenile offenders (N = 308, M age = 17.00, SD = 1.49). Exploratory factor analysis supported a modified three-factor structure in which four items loaded differently to prior studies. Total APSD-SR and modified subscale scores were positively associated with criminal history and mental health problems (e.g., internalizing and externalizing problems, alcohol and substance abuse/dependence). Survival analyses indicated that youth scoring high on the APSD-SR total score were faster to reoffend nonviolently (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.31, p = .0003) and violently (HR = 1.42, p = .0003) than those scoring low. Whereas the modified grandiose-manipulative subscale predicted faster time to nonviolent recidivism (HR = 1.18, p = .026) as a single predictor, when all subscales were simultaneously entered into the model only callous-unemotional (CU) traits and impulsivity predicted nonviolent recidivism (HR = 1.19, p = .026 and 1.22, p = .015, respectively), and only impulsivity predicted violent recidivism (HR = 1.26, p = .014). Findings inform current understanding of the relative contribution of adolescent psychopathy dimensions to designating a particularly high-risk group of Australian youth in custody.

Feasibility and Safety of a Powered Exoskeleton for Assisted Walking for Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: A Single-Group Preliminary Study

ObjectiveTo examine the feasibility, safety, and secondary benefit potential of exoskeleton-assisted walking with one device for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). DesignSingle-group longitudinal preliminary study with 8-week baseline, 8-week intervention, and 4-week follow-up. SettingOutpatient MS clinic, tertiary care hospital. ParticipantsParticipants (N=13; age range, 38–62y) were mostly women with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores ranging from 5.5 to 7.0. InterventionExoskeleton-assisted walk training. Main Outcome MeasuresPrimary outcomes were accessibility (enrollment/screen pass), tolerability (completion/dropout), learnability (time to event for standing, walking, and sitting with little or no assistance), acceptability (satisfaction on the device subscale of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology version 2), and safety (event rates standardized to person-time exposure in the powered exoskeleton). Secondary outcomes were walking without the device (timed 25-foot walk test and 6-minute walk test distance), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), and health-related quality of life (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement and Information System pain interference and Quality of Life in Neurological Conditions fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, and positive affect and well-being). ResultsThe device was accessible to 11 and tolerated by 5 participants. Learnability was moderate, with 5 to 15 sessions required to walk with minimal assistance. Safety was good; the highest adverse event rate was for skin issues at 151 per 1000 hours' exposure. Acceptability ranged from not very satisfied to very satisfied. Participants who walked routinely improved qualitatively on sitting, standing, or walking posture. Two participants improved and 2 worsened on ≥1 quality of life domain. The pattern of spasticity scores may indicate potential benefit. ConclusionsThe device appeared feasible and safe for about a third of our sample, for whom routine exoskeleton-assisted walking may offer secondary benefits.

Validation of the Greek version of the device subscale of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology 2.0 (QUEST 2.0)

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the device subscale of the QUEST 2.0 instrument and provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the Greek version. To this end, a cross-cultural adaptation was performed. Field test studies were conducted to validate the appropriateness of the final outcome. Data were drawn from a study of 115 subjects who had been administered the GR-QUEST questionnaire. Ratings related to the different items were statistically analyzed. The exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation conducted revealed a three factors structure of the device subscale in contrast with previous studies. Our “Safe Use” subscale contains the items adjustments, safety and effectiveness of the original instrument, the “Fit to Use” subscale contains the dimensions, weight and ease of use items, and the “Endurance” subscale contains the items durability and comfort of the original questionnaire. Reliability measures (ICC=0.949, Pearson´s correlation=0.903, Cronbach´s α=0.754) yielded high values. Test-retest outcome showed great stability. Based on the results, the GR-QUEST can be considered as a valid and reliable instrument and thus it can be used to measure the satisfaction of patients with assistive devices, while it is applicable to the Greek population. Further assessment of the services subscale is needed.

Experienced emotional burden in caregivers: psychometric properties of the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire in caregivers of brain injured patients

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties (internal consistency, discriminant validity, and responsiveness) of the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire for Brain Injury measuring emotional burden in caregivers of patients with chronic acquired brain injury. Design: Inception cohort study. Subjects: Caregivers of chronic acquired brain injury patients. Main measures: Besides the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire for Brain Injury, the Family Assessment Device and the General Health Questionnaire were used. Methods: Ninety-eight caregivers filled out all questionnaires, of which 41 caregivers did this twice, before and after the persons they cared for had started a residential community reintegration programme. Cronbach’s alpha and Intra class Correlation Coefficient were calculated for internal consistency. Pearson correlation coefficients were used for discriminant validity and Intra class Correlation Coefficient and Cohen’s d were calculated to determine responsiveness. Results: The internal consistency of the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire for Brain Injury was good (α = 0.73—0.84; Intra class Correlation Coefficient = 0.69—0.76). As expected, low correlations were found between the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire for Brain Injury and either the General Health Questionnaire (r = 0.11—0.40) or the Family Assessment Device subscales (r = —0.29—0.19). Regarding responsiveness of the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire for Brain Injury, a moderate effect size was found (Cohen’s d = 0.36) while the Intra class Correlation Coefficient was good (0.80). Conclusions: The Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire for Brain Injury measures the experienced emotional burden in caregivers of patients with chronic acquired brain injury and seems to be a promising new instrument with good internal consistency, discriminant validity and responsiveness.

The side-effects to CPAP treatment inventory: the development and initial validation of a new tool for the measurement of side-effects to CPAP treatment

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), but side-effects are common. No validated self-rating scale measuring side-effects to CPAP treatment exists today. The aim was to develop the side-effects to CPAP treatment inventory (SECI), and investigate the validity and reliability of the instrument among patients with OSAS. SECI was developed on the basis of: (1) in-depth interviews with 23 patients; (2) examination of the scientific literature and (3) consensus agreement of a multi-professional expert panel. This yielded 15 different types of side-effects related to CPAP treatment. Each side-effect has three sub-questions (scales): perceived frequency (a) and magnitude (b) of the side-effect, as well as its perceived impact on CPAP use (c). A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. A total of 329 patients with OSAS with an average use of CPAP treatment for 39 months (2 weeks to 182 months) were recruited. Data were collected with SECI, and obtained from medical records (clinical variables and data related to CPAP treatment). Construct validity was confirmed with factor analysis (principal component analysis with orthogonal rotation). A logical two-factor solution, the device subscale and symptom subscale, emerged across all three scales. The symptom subscale describing physical and psychological side-effects and the device subscale described mask and device-related side-effects. Internal consistency reliability of the three scales was good (Cronbach's α = 0.74-0.86) and acceptable for the subscales (Cronbach's α = 0.62-0.86). The satisfactory measurement properties of this new instrument are promising and indicate that SECI can be used to measure side-effects to CPAP treatment.

Development and validation of a new instrument to evaluate the ease of use of patient-controlled analgesic modalities for postoperative patients

Objective: To describe the development and psychometric evaluation of a questionnaire assessing the ease of use that patients associate with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) modalities.Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with patients who had experience with intravenous (IV) PCA for postoperative pain management to generate items relevant to the ease of using PCA modalities. The content validity of the resulting questionnaire was examined through follow-up patient interviews, and an expert panel reviewed the questionnaire. Cognitive debriefing interviews were conducted with patients to determine the clarity and content of the instructions, items, and response scales, and the ease of completing the instrument. Psychometric evaluation was performed with patients who had undergone surgery and received IV PCA for postoperative pain management. Item and scale quality and the internal consistency reliability of the questionnaire were assessed. Construct validity was evaluated by examining the relationship between subscales of the questionnaire with patient-reported outcome measures. Known-groups validity was determined by assessing the instrument's ability to differentiate between patients with versus without an IV PCA problem. A potential limitation of this study was the exclusive sampling of patients who had experience with IV PCA.Results: The Patient Ease-of-Care (EOC) Questionnaire included 23 items in the following subscales: Confidence with Device, Comfort with Device, Movement, Dosing Confidence, Pain Control, Knowledge/Understanding, and Satisfaction. Coefficient alpha reliability estimates were ≥0.66 for Overall EOC (includes all subscales except Satisfaction) and all EOC subscales. Construct validity was supported by the moderate relationship between the Pain Control subscale and measures of pain severity and pain interference; additional evidence of construct validity was provided by correlations of the Confidence with Device subscale, the Satisfaction subscale, and Overall EOC with measures of pain severity, pain interference, and satisfaction. Significant mean score differences were reported between participants with and without IV PCA problems for Overall EOC and for the Comfort with Device, Confidence with Device, Movement, Pain Control, and Satisfaction subscales indicating known-groups validity.Conclusions: Results provide evidence for the reliability and validity of the Patient EOC Questionnaire as a measure of the ease of use that patients associate with PCA systems and may be useful for evaluating emerging PCA modalities.

Family functioning of patients with an eating disorder compared with that of patients with obsessive compulsive disorder

This study compares the family functioning of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The study participants, who were all female, consisted of 15 patients with AN, 13 with BN, and 17 with OCD. Family functioning was assessed by using the Family Assessment Device self-rating scale. The study subjects also completed the Eating Attitudes Test. Subjects in the AN and BN groups did not differ statistically either from each other or from the OCD group in all 7 Family Assessment Device subscales. Patients with an eating disorder and OCD rated their family functioning in a similar way. It is difficult to conclude that patients with AN or BN have a specific type of family functioning, which is totally different from the family functioning of patients with OCD. Thus, the study results further support the idea that family interaction in eating disorders is not specific to these disorders, especially when compared with patients with OCD.

Reliability, validity, and applicability of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) for adults with multiple sclerosis

Purpose : To investigate the measurement properties of the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST 2.0) with respect to test-retest stability, alternate form reliability, construct validity and applicability. Method : Data on satisfaction and quality of life impacts of mobility devices were obtained from 81 community-based adults with Multiple Sclerosis, using the QUEST 2.0 and the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS). Subjects were assigned to four groups and a second QUEST 2.0 was administered one week later. Groups differed with respect to the format and the order in which alternate forms were presented. Measures of association were calculated between QUEST 2.0 and PIADS (n = 81) and between QUEST 2.0 alternate forms (n = 48). Respondents' reactions were considered. Results : The device subscale, services subscale, and total QUEST 2.0 scores achieved good test-retest stability (ICC 0.82, 0.82, 0.91). Alternate-form equivalence (ICC 0.89, 0.76, 0.91) was lower for services. The positive correlations between QUEST 2.0 and the three PIADS dimensions were fair to moderate for device and total QUEST 2.0 (r p 0.34 to 0.45) and fair with services (r p 0.27 to 0.30). The tool was positively received, with some restrictions for the services subscale. Conclusions : These findings on the psychometric properties of the QUEST 2.0 reinforce the relevance of the device subscale as an important outcome measure for assistive technology MS users. Further assessment of the services subscale is needed.