Women Veterans and Mobility Aids.
Pooja Solanki, Brad E Dicianno, Alicia M Koontz and 2 others
PMID 41477071WHAT IT FOUND
Women veterans reported that mobility devices often failed to fit their bodies or meet daily needs.
Only 14% felt devices were designed for women, and just 28% could try options before choosing. While getting the device was timely, repairs were slow and maintenance training was insufficient.
Key findings
01Most women veterans did not feel their mobility devices were designed for women, and few had the opportunity to trial different options before making a decision.
02One in five women reported that their mobility device did not meet their needs for at least one daily activity, with public transportation and housework being common areas of unmet need.
03While the procurement process received positive feedback regarding timeliness, follow-up support was poor, with few women able to get devices fixed quickly or receiving adequate maintenance information.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study only included women veterans who use the Veterans Affairs health care system, so results may not apply to civilian women or veterans using other providers. The survey response rate was low (17%), which introduces potential selection bias. There was significant missing data for certain questions, limiting the generalizability of specific findings. The study did not clarify why devices did not meet needs, only that they did not. Self-reported data may be subject to recall and response bias. There was no comparison group of men or other populations to contextualize the women veterans' experiences.
Declared interests
No specific conflicts of interest or funding sources are declared in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that a timely device delivery equates to successful long-term use. While most women received devices quickly, the study found that poor fit, lack of trial options, and slow repair services significantly limited their ability to participate in daily activities.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →