Perceptions of people with motor neurone disease regarding the impact of their power wheelchairs on health and participation

People with motor neurone disease can quickly progress to using power wheelchairs as their primary means of mobility. Clarification of how power wheelchairs and their power seat functions impact daily life is needed to assist clinical and funding decisions. This study identified the impacts that people with motor neurone disease perceive their power wheelchairs have on their health and participation in activities and life roles. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey was conducted online with people with motor neurone disease using power wheelchairs in New Zealand. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Responses (n = 24) indicated that power wheelchairs positively impact people’s psychological health, including happiness (15/24; 63%), self-esteem (14/24; 59%), and inclusion (18/24; 75%), and participation in valued activities, particularly outside of the home (18/24; 75%). All power seat functions were utilised. Qualitative analysis revealed themes around the impact of power wheelchairs: (1) Freedom and choice to participate in valued activities, (2) Enabling social interaction, and (3) Self-managing physical and psychological health. Power wheelchairs profoundly impact people’s psychological health and participation. The psychological and participation-related benefits of power wheelchairs indicate a strong health and economic rationale for including power seat elevation, along with other power seat functions. Power wheelchairs have a profound impact on people’s psychological health, influencing aspects such as inclusion, feelings of happiness, safety, confidence, and a sense of well-being.Activity participation outside the home and social interaction are important for people with motor neurone disease.Providing a power wheelchair early, while people are still walking or transferring, extends independence and participation in valued roles and activities, and people with motor neurone disease valued this timing.Power seat elevation is highly valued for enabling continued participation in activities and social interaction in addition to assisting transfers. Power wheelchairs have a profound impact on people’s psychological health, influencing aspects such as inclusion, feelings of happiness, safety, confidence, and a sense of well-being. Activity participation outside the home and social interaction are important for people with motor neurone disease. Providing a power wheelchair early, while people are still walking or transferring, extends independence and participation in valued roles and activities, and people with motor neurone disease valued this timing. Power seat elevation is highly valued for enabling continued participation in activities and social interaction in addition to assisting transfers.