Trajectory of assistive device usage and user and non‐user characteristics: Long‐handled bath sponge

OBJECTIVES: To examine use of an assistive device, a long-handled bath sponge (LHBS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis to describe use from the time of in-hospital prescription to the 2- and 12-month followups, and to describe the characteristics of those who became device users and non-users. METHODS: Patients (n = 102) who were prescribed a LHBS during hospitalization were followed prospectively. The clinical and psychosocial assessment included disease, physical and psychosocial factors, and disability. RESULTS: The overall usage rate for the LHBS was 86%. When compared with users, non-users had fewer arthritic joints, perceived greater control over their disability and pain, and had less favorable perceptions of the LHBS. Characteristics that did not differentiate non-users from users were sociodemographic variables, disease duration, movement capability, level of disability and pain, and general perceptions of assistive devices. CONCLUSION: The results support the early identification of patients who are likely to become non-users so that acceptable alternative interventions can be planned.