Estudio de la capacidad funcional y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en el adulto mayor institucionalizado

Abstract

Objectives: To describe and analyze the characteristics of two groups of institutionalized elderly people depending on their presence in rehabilitation sessions run according to principles of occupational therapy (OT). And secondly, to establish whether there is a relationship between quality of life related to health (HRQL), and the mental and physical functions of the rehabilitation sessions. Location: Residential Center "Virgen de la Asunción", Guijuelo, Salamanca province, Spain. Material and Methods: Descriptive study using a sample of 59 institutionalized elderly people with a Barthel index score greater than 20 (severe dependence) and a Mini-Examination (MMSE) score of greater than 14 (mild cognitive impairment). In this study, the Barthel index, MMSE, Yesavage scale and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) scores of every observation was measured while consideration was given to a number of variables, such as sexual activeness and previous education, which may have an influence on the results. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS to investigate the correlation between different variables in different groups, with a significance level (confidence interval [CI] 95%) p <0.05. Results: Statistically significant differences (p <0.001) between rehabilitation and no rehabilitation groups in Barthel, MMSE and EuroQol, and (p <0.05) in Yesavage scores. Direct relationship between age and months of institutionalization with Barthel scores, MMSE and EuroQol (r = 1). No significant differences between the variables age, institutionalization, and months in both groups (p> 0.05). No significant differencein sexual activeness in Barthel, MMSE, EuroQol and Yesavage scores. Conclusions: Rehabilitation programs conducted according to the principles of occupational therapy are significantly valid in terms of preservation, or improvements in the areas of function and HRQL levels amongst institutionalized elderly.