Objective : The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of assistive device on the perform in ADL and life satisfaction.
Methods : From August 1 through August 31 in 2004, the researchers visited forty physical disability people who reside in Gyeong-nam Gimhae-si to evaluate ADL using survey. The six researchers, who already finished all of FIM(functional independence measure) evaluation, individually interviewed the subject. The survey consists of 9 general character questions, 7 assistive device questions, and 3 satisfaction of life questions. Especially, the satisfaction of life questions based on 5 point scales by rehabilitation medical service, family support level, and participation level in the country.
Results : Whether the subjects use assistive device or not, there was no difference to the subject's ADL skills. According to the subject who do not use the assistive device, there were statistically no difference at all in their satisfaction of rehabilitation medical service. However, according to the subject who use an assistive device with family support and participation in the country, they all showed high satisfaction (p<0.05).
Conclusion : When the people with physical disabilities use the assistive device, family support and participation in the country highly effected in their satisfaction (p<0.05). Therefore, future study should investigate more people with physical disabilities who use an assistive device by considering regional characteristic.