Evaluation of Peer-Led Wheelchair Skills Groups for Children.

Children who use a manual or power wheelchair for mobility will attend 2 x 2hr wheelchair skills groups facilitated by peer mentors (adult wheelchair users) at a ratio of 1 mentor: 3 children. The sessions are once a week for 2 weeks and the same group of children will participate in both sessions. The skills group programme follows a set structure and timetable and is the same programme that has been used by Seating To Go for the delivery of peer mentored group wheelchair skills training since 2013. Activities and skills being taught have been modelled on the Wheelchair Skills Programme developed by Dalhousie University, Canada. (Source: https://wheelchairskillsprogram.ca/en/ ). There is capacity for the mentors to teach different techniques to achieve the same task dependent on the participant's level of ability. The majority of group activities are of light intensity (9-12 on the BORG scale) with ascending ramps being somewhat hard (13-14 on the BORG scale). Session attendance lists are used to monitor adherence to the intervention. Participants in the study (the groups are not limited to study participants) will be asked to bring a support person who can physically assist them during the groups as a spotter. This could be a parent, carer, therapist or teacher aide. The spotter will be sent a video prior to the groups that shows safe spotting techniques during various group activities, and wheelchair skills. The video has been developed by Seating To Go therapists and peer mentors and is sent to all participants of skills groups facilitated by Seating To Go, not just the study participants. It is not publicly available. During the groups, the peer mentors will demonstrate skills (e.g. ascending and descending a ramp), lead participants through practice of skills, and provide coaching. A Wheelchair and Seating Therapist (Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist with the New Zealand Ministry of Health Level 2 Wheeled Mobility and Postural Management credential) and wheelchair technician will assist with time monitoring of the session, assist spotters, and undertake adjustments to participants' wheelchair configuration that may assist with skill development (e.g. adjusting tyre inflation pressure in rear wheels, changing the rear axle position).