Cognitive status and ambulation in geriatric rehabilitation: walking without thinking?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relation between cognitive and ambulatory abilities in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients.


METHODS
Survey study of geriatric cohorts.


METHODS
Inpatient university hospital rehabilitation unit.


METHODS
One hundred fifty urban geriatric rehabilitation patients with orthopedic, neurologic, or medical diagnoses.


METHODS
Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination.


RESULTS
Both cognitive measures predicted admission and discharge total FIM scores, continence status, and activities of daily living (ADL) scores. Neither measure could predict admission or discharge FIM ambulation scores better than demographic variables.


CONCLUSIONS
While cognitive status affects the overall rehabilitation course and ultimate functional status of the geriatric patient, it does not predict walking or stair climbing ability.
Ruchinskas
R A
RA
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Singer
H K
HK
Repetz
N K
NK
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012046:Rehabilitation; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D016138:Walking