ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the time use and quality of life among people with tetraplegia who participate in wheelchair rugby against those who do not participate in any sports. Methods : A researcher analyzed the time use and quality of life for 24 subjects with tetraplegia, 11 of whom participate in wheelchair rugby, using an‘ occupational questionnaire’and‘ WHOQOL-BREF’. Results : The subjects who participate in wheelchair rugby demonstrated greater degrees of leisure time, as well as importance and enjoyment in their occupational performance, than non-participants (p<.05). A higher score for the importance and enjoyment of the subjects’work performance required a greater amount of leisure time (p<.05). Conclusion : We suggest that occupational therapists need to include an analysis and effectiveness of time use pattern in their assessments, and to analyze and use wheelchair rugby activities for developing greater occupational performance for people with tetraplegia.