Effectiveness and It’s Correlated Factors of Using Assistive Technology at Homes: Examples of Wheeled Mobile Devices
Date Issued
2004
Date
2004
Author(s)
Li, Chi-Jui
DOI
zh-TW
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the assistive technology (AT) focusing in the wheeled mobile devices in Taiwan. The indicators of effectiveness for AT use included the frequency of use AT, the functional changes perceived by the disabled persons themselves, and the satisfaction levels for the AT devices and related services. This study further analyzed the correlations of above three indicators of AT effectiveness. In order to find out what factors might relate to the effectiveness of AT, factors based on Matching Person and Technology (MPT) Model were selected and the correlation was examined with each indicator of the AT effectiveness. The study was cross-sectional designed. Thirty-nine disabled persons participated in this study. A self-designed questionnaire was used to measure the AT effectiveness and related factors by an interview method.
The results indicated that 38.5% participants (n=15) use the devices everyday, and 15.4% (n=6) participants almost do not use. More than 80% participants felt very satisfied or satisfied for the AT. More than 60% participants felt their functions improved, especially over 90% participants felt they increased opportunities to participate indoor or outdoor activities. The results of the correlations among three indicators of AT effectiveness showed the functional changes significantly related to the use frequency and level of satisfaction (p≦0.05), but the use frequency and satisfaction did not correlate significantly to each other. Three indicators of effectiveness all significantly related to one variable — “the methods to explain how to use the device”. And the functional changes and level of satisfaction significantly related to “services from the professional personnel”, or ”service delivery systems”.
In conclusion, the wheeled mobile devices indeed could improve independent function and decrease carer burdens for the disabled persons in the domestic area. Almost all participants were with high level of satisfaction for AT devices and services. Although the functional changes significantly related to other two indicators of effectiveness, the use frequency did not correlate to the subjective satisfaction. This result implicated the different indicators might represent different meanings in AT effectiveness measure. In addition, to improve the AT effectiveness, it was suggested to focus on the process of providing professional services and explaining the method of AT use to the disable persons.
Subjects
失能
成效
輔具
輪椅類輔具
assistive technology
wheeled mobile devices
effectiveness
disabled
Type
text
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