Outcomes during and after inpatient rehabilitation: comparison between adults and older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To compare changes on biopsychosocial variables between adults (< 65 years) and older adults (> or = 65 years) during and after an inpatient rehabilitation program.


METHODS
Comparative study.


METHODS
A total of 165 people 18 years and over admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit.


METHODS
The participants were evaluated 3 times: at admission and discharge and 3 months later. Outcome measures were: Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF), Modified Mini-Mental State Examination, Trail Making Test, Motor-Free Visual Perceptual Test, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Jamar dynamometer, and General Well-being Schedule (GWBS).


RESULTS
Both groups improved significantly between admission and discharge on the SMAF, BBS, TUG, VAS, Jamar dynamometer and GWBS. Although scores on many of the outcome measures differed at admission, the 2 groups improved similarly during rehabilitation. After 3 months, stability or a slight improvement was observed for both groups; however, younger participants improved more on mobility, balance, walking and grip strength.


CONCLUSIONS
Although older participants had more disabilities at admission, they benefited as much as younger people from an intensive rehabilitation program with a comparable length of stay. However, younger participants continued to improve 3 months later.
Gosselin
Suzanne
S
Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, 1036 Belvédère sud, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. suzanne.gosselin@USherbrooke.ca
Desrosiers
Johanne
J
Corriveau
Hélène
H
Hébert
Réjean
R
Rochette
Annie
A
Provencher
Véronique
V
Côté
Sylvie
S
Tousignant
Michel
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012046:Rehabilitation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation