Purpose: To identify and synthesise the available evidence on the effect of mobility on social participation and quality of life (QoL) of wheelchairs (WC) on adults who use WC as their primary means of mobility.
Materials and methods: Systematic review undertaken in accordance with the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination Guidelines and registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic reviews. Nine electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, LILACS, CINAHL, PEDro, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and BVS ECOS) were searched with the following PICO eligibility criteria: (P) Population was individuals with mobility limitations that live in their community, aged 18 or older; (I) Intervention was mobility devices, such as manual and powered wheelchairs; (C) Comparators, not applied; (O) Outcome was factors that can be influenced by wheelchair use, such as: social participation, health-related quality of life and QOL. Critical appraisal of methodological quality of studies were undertaken.
Results: A total of 18 studies were included. The proportion of studies evaluating the effects of mobility on participation was higher than to mobility on QoL. WC quality, device benefit (ease of repairs and maintenance), confidence using a WC and WC skills were key factors determining participation. The provision of WC according to the eight steps service proposed by the Word Health Organisation contributed to higher levels of physical health, WC satisfaction, hours using the WC and QoL enhancement.
Conclusion: Attention should be given to enhance WC service provision (with continuous service support) as well as professional continuing education.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONWheelchair technology is a key element in rehabilitation. Significant effort should be made to provide and maintain the wheelchair as a facilitator to participation. A great attention should be done to enhance wheelchair services as well as professional continuous education.Wheelchair skills are associated with participation and may be targeted in clinical intervention.
Keywords: Social participation; quality of life; review; wheelchairs.