Factors associated with the functional status of community-dwelling elderly.
OBJECTIVE
This research sought to answer the following question: To what extent is the functional status of elderly people explained by gender, age, geographical residence, level of cognitive function, and depression?


METHODS
Two hundred randomly selected community-dwelling elderly people aged 65 to 80 years old completed the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Physical Performance Test (PPT).


RESULTS
Correlation analysis and simple linear regression models showed that age, MMSE, GDS, and geographical residence were significantly associated with the functional level, whereas gender was not. In the multiple regression model, MMSE and geographical residence together explained 40% of the variance in functional status; age and GDS did not add to the explanation.


CONCLUSIONS
Since cognitive function had the strongest association with functional performance to an extent greater than the other variables, adding a treatment regimen that stimulates cognitive function might further enhance functional level or prevent decline of functional status compared with an exercise intervention alone.
Morala
Dorothy Tan
DT
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Science, 2600- 1 Kitakanemaru, Otawara City, Tochigi, Japan. alarom2001@yahoo.com
Shiomi
Taizo
T
Maruyama
Hitoshi
H
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors