Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI)

For individuals who rely on wheelchairs for mobility, performing transfers is essential to achieving independence with activities of daily living. For example, transfers are required for getting into and out of bed, on and off a bathtub/shower seat, commode seat, motor vehicle seat and so on. Unfortunately transfers (along with wheelchair propulsion, weight relief, and overhead activities) are believed to largely contribute to the development of shoulder pain and injury.

In order to understand the injury mechanisms, our Clinical Biomechanics Lab has conducted research on the influence of different transfer techniques and environmental setups. We summarized our findings to develop the Transfer Assessment Instrument (TAI) – the first clinical tool for evaluating transfer skills in detail. We also proved that the TAI is reliable and functional in serving as a guideline for clinicians to evaluate and teach transfer skills. Recently, we have modified the TAI (TAI 4.0) to a version that can be used by a rater or as a self-assessment measure.

• Download the TAI 4.0 (PDF)

A pervious version of the TAI (TAI 3.0) and corresponding training materials can be found here:

• Download the TAI (PDF)
• Download TAI Reference Training Materials (PDF)

Below you can find a list of publications related to the TAI:

• Reliability and Validity of the Revised Transfer Assessment Instrument https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29997425
• Investigating the Efficacy of Web-Based Transfer Training on Independent Wheelchair Transfers Through Randomized Controlled Trials https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28782541
• Transfer component skill deficit rates among Veterans who use wheelchairs http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27149389
• Transfer Technique Is Associated With Shoulder Pain and Pathology in People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Investigation http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27117384
• Cross-Sectional Investigation of Acute Changes in Ultrasonographic Markers for Biceps and Supraspinatus Tendon Degeneration After Repeated Wheelchair Transfers in People With Spinal Cord Injury http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27088477
• Immediate Biomechanical Implications of Transfer Component Skills Training on Independent Wheelchair Transfers http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27084267
• Short-term influence of transfer training among full time pediatric wheelchair users: A randomized trial http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26914856
• Ultrasonographic Median Nerve Changes After Repeated Wheelchair Transfers in Persons With Paraplegia: Relationship With Subject Characteristics and Transfer Skills http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26265431
• The relationship between independent transfer skills and upper limb kinetics in wheelchair users http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25162039
• Basic psychometric properties of the transfer assessment instrument (version 3.0) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23685096
• Impact of the clinical practice guideline for preservation of upper limb function on transfer skills of persons with acute spinal cord injury http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23537608
• Reliability and validity analysis of the transfer assessment instrumenthttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21276957