Exploring suitable participation tools for children who need or use power mobility: A modified Delphi survey.

OBJECTIVES

To identify suitable tools for measuring important elements of participation for children, aged 18 months to 12 years, who need or use power mobility, and to indicate which tools should be considered for inclusion in a measurement toolkit.

METHODS

Parents, therapists and researchers with expertise in paediatric power mobility and participation (n = 70) completed an online modified Delphi survey, with consensus set a priori >80% agreement. Existing tools were matched against participation elements ranked most important for those in early childhood (18 months-5 years) and of school-age (6-12 years) by the panel.

RESULTS

Six out of 13 tools demonstrated potential, meeting at least three elements each, although none addressed all elements deemed important to measure by the panel. Only the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY) reached consensus for inclusion in a participation measure toolkit.

CONCLUSION

Further evaluation of these tools with this population is warranted.