Brief Report Occupational Performance and the Transition to Powered Mobility: A Pilot Study Mary Ellen Buning, MS, OTR/L, ATP, is Research Associate, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, 5044 Forbes Tower, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260; mbuning+@pitt.edu. Jennifer A. Angelo, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, ATP, is Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh. Mark R. Schmeler, MS, OTR/L, ATP, is Instructor, Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, and Director of Clinical Services, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Center for Assistive Technology. This article was accepted for publication March 30, 2000. Mary Ellen Buning, Jennifer A. Angelo, Mark R. Schmeler Key Words: adaptive behavior • occupation- al role • wheelchairs and accessories The American Journal of Occupational Therapy 339 Objective. This quantitative study describes the transition from manual to powered mobility and its influence on occupational performance (organization of daily tasks, assumption of responsibility, roles, interests) and feelings of competence, adaptability, and self-esteem. Method. The Occupational Performance History Interview (OPHI) was used with a convenience sample of 8 participants with both static and progressive conditions to measure retrospectively changes in occupational performance after the change from a manual wheelchair to a powered mobility device (PMD). The Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Device Scale (PIADS) was used to measure partic- ipants’ perceptions of the impact of the PMD on their com- petence, adaptability, and self-esteem. Results. A comparison of the pretest and posttest means on the OPHI scores showed a significant improvement in occupational performance (p = .001) after the introduction of PMDs. The PIADS scores showed a positive impact of 2 or greater for 75% of the participants on 19 of 26 items. Scores were similar to scores in a PIADS database of per- sons with comparable conditions. No significant relation- ship between occupational performance and psychosocial impact was demonstrated. Conclusion. Results suggest that the transition to a PMD enhances occupational performance, competence, adaptability, and self-esteem for persons with severe mobility impairments. Buning, M. E., Angelo, J. A., & Schmeler, M. R. (2001). Occupational performance and the transition to powered mobility: A pilot study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55, 339–344. P ersons who use wheeled mobility devices rely on them to move independently in their surroundings, engage in meaningful activities, and enact the roles of their everyday lives. These components of everyday life are possible when persons with disabilities use mobility devices matched to their specific needs and environments (Scherer, 1996; Verbrugge, Rennert & Madans, 1997). Persons with complex or progressive impairments who are unable to use manual wheelchairs can use powered mobil- ity devices (PMDs) to gain independent mobility (Schmeler, 1995; Trefler & Taylor, 1987). Having the appropriate mobility device may significantly affect how persons with disabilities experience their worlds and the people and objects encountered within their lives. The literature describing and quantifying the impact of mobility devices on quality of life is limited. Verbrugge et al. (1997) investigated the impact of reduced mobility on a sample of noninstitutionalized adults (N = 1,164) liv- ing in the United States. Participants in this study preferred using mobility equipment over human assistance to com- plete functional tasks. They reported that mobility equip-