Telerehabilitation assessment using the Functioning Everyday with a Wheelchair-Capacity instrument

J Rehabil Res Dev. 2011;48(2):115-24. doi: 10.1682/jrrd.2010.03.0039.

Abstract

This study explored the interrater reliability between a generalist practitioner administering the Functioning Everyday with a Wheelchair-Capacity (FEW-C) in person (IP) and a remote expert practitioner observing via telerehabilitation (TR) from more than 100 miles away. Each of the 46 participants was simultaneously rated by both the IP and TR practitioner, who were masked to each other's results. The IP-TR raters demonstrated excellent interrater reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.91 for the total FEW-C and 0.96, 0.88, and 0.90 for the constructs of independence, safety, and quality, respectively. Internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) was 0.94 for the total FEW-C tool and 0.91, 0.83, and 0.82 for independence, safety, and quality, respectively, indicating good internal consistency without redundancy. Using TR and the FEW-C, an expert practitioner more than 100 miles away was able to accurately assess the functional mobility needs of clients being assessed for new wheeled mobility devices.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Disabled Persons / rehabilitation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Observer Variation
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Task Performance and Analysis*
  • Videoconferencing*
  • Wheelchairs*
  • Young Adult