Survey of Physical Functioning in Adults with Disabilities

Study Goals

The specific aim of this project is to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the measurement of physical function. Many of the questions on physical functioning assume a certain level of mobility and as a result are not appropriate for some people with limited mobility. Questions, such as “Does your health now limit you in walking more than a mile?”; “Does your health now limit you in doing strenuous activities such as backpacking, skiing, playing tennis, bicycling or jogging?” are examples of questions that are irrelevant to users of power wheelchairs and unnecessarily waste the researchers’ time and resources, as well as the time and effort of the patient. 

Study Participation

At UWCORR, we recruited patients with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. Arthritis patients were recruited from the Thurston Arthritis Research Center at University of North Carolina (UNC). Study participants were asked to complete a survey either on a computer or on paper that measures physical functioning. The information shared will help healthcare researchers develop a bank of physical function items that functions more effectively for people with physical disabilities. At the close of the study, 264 individuals with SCI, 270 individuals with MS and 216 individuals with Arthritis had completed the survey.