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The Wheelchair Outcome Measure for Young People (WhOM-YP): modification and metrics for children and youth with mobility limitations

Abstract Purpose Wheelchairs enhance children’s mobility and participation in daily life, yet few participation measures are used to evaluate wheeled mobility interventions. The Wheelchair Outcome Measure for Young People (WhOM-YP) addresses this gap, evaluating importance of and satisfaction with client-identified participation outcomes inside and outside home for children aged 18 years and younger who need wheeled mobility interventions. Methods Mixed methods study using semi-structured interviews with nine experienced therapists and nine wheelchair users (11–18 years) evaluated the appropriateness of adult Wheelchair Outcome Measure for younger ages. Four key informants reviewed findings and offered additional modifications. Two-week test-retest reliability and construct validity were examined with children and parents; Spearman correlations were estimated among child and parent scores and Mann-Whitney U Test analyzed difference in outside home participation mean weighted satisfaction scores between new and experienced power mobility users. Results Modifications included age-appropriate changes, adding visuals to rating scales, and separate child and adult ratings dependent on child’s age and abilities. Two week test-retest reliability estimates were as hypothesized; WhOM-YP mean satisfaction and mean weighted satisfaction summary scores for inside and outside home participation demonstrated intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC(2,1)) > 0.70. Discrimination between groups was as predicted; mean weighted satisfaction outside participation difference (p < 0.0001) demonstrated between experienced (median 74.2, n = 22) and inexperienced (median 32.9, n = 10) users. Revised format was conducive for individuals with diverse needs; images helped those with emerging numeracy and literacy skills, and proxy rating could be accommodated. Conclusion Evidence supports WhOM-YP reliability and validity for measuring participation outcomes in daily life for young people. Implications for rehabilitation The WhOM-YP offers a client-centred, individualized, participation focused outcome measure for young people who use wheeled mobility. Therapists, children, youth and parents were consulted throughout its development to ensure that the measure is relevant to their needs. The WhOM-YP can be used with children 18 years-of-age and younger. Consistent ratings over a two-week period of time (when no change was expected) were stronger for those 8 years and older. Children as young as 5 years of age can use this measure to share their views but caution is needed in score interpretation for those below 8 years-of-age. The option of parent-report to augment or provide a proxy measure increases WhOM-YP usefulness in rating individualized participation outcomes for a more age and ability diverse population. This is the first study to examine reliability and validity evidence in regards to using the Wheelchair Outcome Measure for Young People (WhOM-YP) with children who have mobility limitations and their parents.