WheelchairNCT06295146
Virtual Peer Coaching in Manual Wheelchair Skills
A study testing Intervention A: 1-on-1 wheelchair skills training by a peer coach and Intervention B: Training via educational videos in people with Wheelchair and Paraplegia, run by University of Pittsburgh at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of remote manual wheelchair skills training program. First, peer coaches will be enrolled and trained. Then, trainees will be enrolled into one of three interventions: intervention with remote feedback (Group 1), and a wait list control group (Group 2). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Wheelchair, Paraplegia, Spinal Cord Injury
- What is being tested?
- Intervention A: 1-on-1 wheelchair skills training by a peer coach and Intervention B: Training via educational videos
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 132 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 25 Jun 2024to 30 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Coaches:
- At least 18 years old
- Non-progressive SCI
- Able to speak and read English
- Reside in the community
- Independently use a manual wheelchair for at least 50% of mobility
Show all 19Show fewer
- Coaches with paraplegia:
- Able to complete all skills targeted by the intervention, except stair ascent, (WST-Q item scores 2) independently.
- Coaches with tetraplegia:
- Able to complete all skills targeted by the intervention with or without assistance
- Trainees:
- At least 18 years old
- Non-progressive SCI
- Able to speak and read English
- Reside in the community
- Independently use a manual wheelchair for 50% of mobility
- Access to an Internet-ready device with video capabilities.
- Access to a spotter for practicing wheelchair skills
- Desire training for at least 5 of the 16 skills targeted by the training program
Who cannot join
- none
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219
Lee Tempest, BS, 412-232-9326, tempestml@upmc.edu
Debbie Harrington, BS, 4123370372, debbie.harrington@pitt.edu
About this study
Official title: Improving Manual Wheelchair Skills Through Remote Training
The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of remote manual wheelchair skills training program. First, peer coaches will be enrolled and trained. Then, trainees will be enrolled into one of three interventions: intervention with remote feedback (Group 1), and a wait list control group (Group 2).
Read the detailed description
For peer coaches:
Coaches will complete the following measures:
- Demographic questionnaire (pre-training)
- Self-Efficacy on Assessing, Training, and Spotting (SEATS) (pre- and post-training)
- Feedback survey (post peer coaching)
Prior to coaching trainees, coaches will undergo three training programs as follows:
- Virtual training through zoom on peer mentoring
- Research ethics training
- Wheelchair skills training
It will be verified that peer coaches possess the needed skills by administering the SEATS following training. A score of 5 (completely confident) for each training item will be required to advance to the peer coaching sessions.
For peer coaching, coaches will lead six 1:1 virtual zoom meetings with each trainee they are matched with. Sessions may include goal setting, review of progress, instruction, and "homework" of prescribed content for trainees to review. For each training session coaches will complete a session log.
For trainees:
Baseline questionnaires will include:
- Demographic questionnaire
- Wheelchair setup questionnaire
- Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q)
- Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) (Group 1,3 only)
- Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique Short Form (CHART-SF) Mobility
- Life Space Assessment (LSA)
- Online Learning Readiness Scale (OLRS)
- Moorong Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES)
- Referral Source
- Wheelchair Skills Training Questionnaire (WST-Q)
- Wheelchair skills training outside of study
Group Specific Activities
Groups 1 and 2 will complete intervention A following baseline and 6-month assessments, respectively. They are not required to complete training in all skills, only to have at least 5 skills with relevant training goals.
Intervention Trainees will engage in 1:1 virtual zoom meetings facilitated by the study team scheduled weekly for 6 sessions with the opportunity for 2 makeup sessions. Sessions may include goal setting, review of progress, instruction, and "homework" of prescribed content for trainees to review. Participants may upload videos of themselves completing skills through Qualtrics to get feedback.
Skills targeted by the intervention -
- opening/closing doors
- picking up an object from the ground
- getting over a gap
- getting over a threshold
- up a low curb
- down a low curb
- up a high curb
- down a high curb
- performing a stationary wheelie
- up a steep incline
- down a steep incline
- getting up stairs
- getting down stairs
- uneven transfers
- floor-to-chair transfer
- folding and unfolding wheelchair
All participants will complete 2-month follow-up. This will include the following questionnaires:
Baseline questionnaires will include:
- Wheelchair setup questionnaire
- Wheelchair skills training outside of study survey
- Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q)
- Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) - group 1
- Feedback Survey - group 1 only
All participants will complete 6-month follow-up. This will include the following questionnaires:
- Wheelchair setup questionnaire
- Wheelchair skills training outside of study survey
- Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q)
- Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique Short Form (CHART-SF) Mobility
- Life Space Assessment (LSA)
Groups 2 will then cross-over to complete the intervention.
All participants will complete 8-month follow-up. This will include the following questionnaires:
- Wheelchair setup questionnaire
- Wheelchair skills training outside of study survey
- Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q)
- Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) - group 2 only
- Feedback Survey - group 2 only
All participants will complete 12-month follow-up. This will include the following questionnaires:
- Wheelchair setup questionnaire
- Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q)
- Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique Short Form (CHART-SF) Mobility
- Life Space Assessment (LSA)
- Wheelchair skills training outside of study
Follow-up windows will be within approximately 2 weeks before/after the follow-up date. Participants will be asked to select two preferred methods of contact for follow-up reminders that will be sent between timepoints.
Spotters are required for trainee participation in the study. Prior to the start of the study, spotters will be required to watch a series of training videos about safe spotting.
- Conditions
- Wheelchair, Paraplegia, Spinal Cord Injury, Tetraplegia/Tetraparesis, Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
- Being tested
- Intervention A: 1-on-1 wheelchair skills training by a peer coach, Intervention B: Training via educational videos
- Medical subject headings
- Paraplegia, Spinal Cord Injuries, Quadriplegia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Intervention A: 1-on-1 wheelchair skills training by a peer coachOther
Trainees will engage in 1:1 virtual zoom meetings facilitated by the study team scheduled weekly for 6 sessions with the opportunity for 2 makeup sessions. Sessions will last approximately 30 minutes and may include goal setting, review of progress, instruction, and "homework" of prescribed content for trainees to review. Participants may upload videos of themselves completing skills through Qualtrics to get feedback.
Intervention B: Training via educational videosOther
Intervention B will be a series of educational videos that participants review and then are encouraged to the practice the skills. Participants will have access to the materials for 8 weeks. Group 3 will have access to approximately 3 hours of wheelchair skills video training content. Actual viewing time will depend upon the individual's training goal. While they will receive a weekly reminder about practicing, there is no prescribed frequency for how often they should be practicing the skills in the videos.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active intervention (intervention A) | Experimental | Active intervention (intervention A) which will include training through peer coaching Receives: Other: Intervention A: 1-on-1 wheelchair skills training by a peer coach |
| Waitlist control group | Active comparator | Waitlist control group that will receive the same intervention A but at 6 months Receives: Other: Intervention A: 1-on-1 wheelchair skills training by a peer coach |
| Self-study intervention | Active comparator | Self-study intervention with review of educational materials Receives: Other: Intervention B: Training via educational videos |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Capacity, confidence, and performance of wheelchair skills will improve following training
Compare the results of the Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q) between groups.
The WST-Q is a self report measure of capacity (ability to complete), confidence, and performance (frequency of completing) wheelchair skills. The WST-Q will measured for each of 16 skills targeted in the training and a total score for each domain will be calculated.
Measured: 6 months
Secondary outcomes (10)
Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q) improvement from baseline following training
Compare the results of the WST-Q taken after training to the beginning of study.
Measured: Post-training (2 mo assessment for groups 1 and 3; 8 mo assessment for group 2)
Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q) improvement from baseline (6 months)
Compare the results of the WST-Q taken 6 months after training to the beginning of study.
Measured: 6 months post training (6 mo assessment for groups 1 and 3; 12 mo assessment for group 2)
Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire (WST-Q) improvement from baseline (12 months)
Compare the results of the WST-Q taken 12 months after the beginning of study. Group 1 will have received peer coaching, group 2 is the control group, and group 3 will have completed self-study using videos.
Measured: 1 year
Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) improvement from baseline (post training)
Compare the results of the GAS taken post training to results at beginning of study.
For GAS, the wheelchair trainer and trainee will set specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time related individual goals. The goals are weighted for importance (0=not at all important, to 3=very important) and difficulty (0=not at all difficult, to 3=very difficult). The wheelchair skill is performed and rated. Possible performance level scores: +2 (much more than expected), +1 (more than expected), 0 expected level, -1 (less than expected), or -2 (much less than expected).
Measured: Post-training (2 mo assessment for groups 1 and 3; 8 mo assessment for group 2)
Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique Short Form (CHART-SF) Mobility improvement (6 months)
Compare the results of the CHART taken at 6 months to results at beginning of study. Group 1 will have received peer coaching, group 2 is the control group, and group 3 will have completed self-study using videos.
The CHART is designed as an interview tool, which can be administered face-to-face or by telephone. CHART produces an index of handicap. It is possible to score more than 100 on most of the subscales, however a maximum of 100 points has been allowed, indicating no handicap in that dimension. Scoring takes into account: physical independence, cognitive independence, mobility, occupation, social integration, and economic self-sufficiency.
Measured: 6 months
Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique Short Form (CHART-SF) Mobility improvement (1 year)
Compare the results of the CHART taken at 1 year to results at beginning of study. Group 1 will have received peer coaching, group 2 is the control group, and group 3 will have completed self-study using videos.
Measured: 1 year
Wheelchair Outcome Measure (WhOM) Satisfaction with Participation in Meaningful Activities after baseline (6 months)
Compare the results of the WhOM taken at 6 months to results at beginning of study. Group 1 will have received peer coaching, group 2 is the control group, and group 3 will have completed self-study using videos.
The WhOM is a client-centred measure of wheelchair and seating system intervention.The WhOM is a two part questionnaire which can be administered by a therapist in under 30 minutes, focused on participation outcomes as identified by the participants.
Participants identify their participation outcome goals (i.e. specific things that they want to do and achieve) at home and in the community, and they then rate the importance (Imp) of the goals and satisfaction (Sat) with their performance in reaching their goals. Imp and Sat are rated (0-10) for each identified activity. Sat x Imp score (0-100) for each activity is the product of the two values. Mean Sat and mean Sat x Imp scores are the means of the respective activity scores.
Measured: 6 months
Wheelchair Outcome Measure (WhOM) Satisfaction with Participation in Meaningful Activities after baseline (1 year)
Compare the results of the WhOM taken at 1 year to results at beginning of study. Group 1 will have received peer coaching, group 2 is the control group, and group 3 will have completed self-study using videos.
Measured: 1 year
Life Space Assessment (LSA) improvement from baseline (6 months)
Compare the results of the LSA taken at 6 months to results at beginning of study. Group 1 will have received peer coaching, group 2 is the control group, and group 3 will have completed self-study using videos.
The overall score for each life-space level and the total score are calculated by summing the scores. The total score ranges from 0 ("totally bed-bound") to 120 ("traveling out of town every day without assistance"). The LSA is positively scored, with higher scores indicating a larger life space.
Measured: 6 months
Life Space Assessment (LSA) improvement from baseline (1 year)
Compare the results of the LSA taken at 1 year to results at beginning of study. Group 1 will have received peer coaching 6 months prior, group 2 will have received peer coaching most recently, and group 3 will have completed self-study using videos.
Measured: 1 year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Mar 2024
- Study start25 Jun 2024
- Primary completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for WheelchairStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of PittsburghThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Sequential
- Model description
- For trainees, we will use a randomized, single-blinded, two-period cross-over study design for Groups 1 and 2. Participants will complete baseline assessments and then be randomized to either Group 1 or Group 2. After we have completed enrollment for Groups 1 and 2 (N=40 per group) we will enroll participants into Group 3 ( N=40 per group).
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 132 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Pittsburgh
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Lynn Worobey, University of Pittsburgh
- Investigators
- Lynn Worobey, PhD/DPT, Principal investigator, University of Pittsburgh
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06295146
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY23050075
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Feb 2024
- Last updated
- 14 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No