The association between having assistive devices and activities of daily living ability and health-related quality of life: An exploratory cross-sectional study among people with advanced cancer: Advanced cancer and use of assistive devices

Objective: To explore the association between having assistive devices and ADL ability and HRQoL, respectively, among people with advanced cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 164 participants with advanced cancer. Self-reported ADL ability was assessed using the ADL–Interview, and HRQoL was assessed using the European Organization for Research Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30. Data regarding assistive devices was collected using a study-specific questionnaire. Data was collected in the homes of the participants and analysed using multiple linear regression. The regression coefficients (B) were presented in crude form and adjusted for potential confounding variables (age, gender, cohabiting, receiving help, physical functioning, fatigue and pain). P-values (P) <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Having assistive devices was associated with lower ADL ability (B = -0.923, P = <0.0001), but this association was not significant after adjustment where physical functioning proved to be a confounding variable positively associated with ADL ability (B = 0.030, P = <0.0001). No significant association was found between having assistive devices and HRQoL. Conclusions: Participants with assistive devices had the same HRQoL but lower ADL ability than participants without assistive devices. Low ADL ability may be related to low physical functioning.