title: Patients undergoing subacute physical rehabilitation following an acute hospital admission demonstrated improvement in cognitive functional task independence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated cognitive functioning among older adults with physical debility not attributable to an acute injury or neurological condition who were receiving subacute inpatient physical rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort investigation with assessments at admission and discharge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three geriatric rehabilitation hospital wards.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive rehabilitation admissions (n = 814) following acute hospitalization (study criteria excluded orthopaedic, neurological, or amputation admissions).
  
  
  METHODS
  Usual rehabilitation care.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) Cognitive and Motor items.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 704 (86.5%) participants (mean age = 76.5 years) completed both assessments. Significant improvement in FIM Cognitive items (Z-score range 3.93-8.74, all P < 0.001) and FIM Cognitive total score (Z-score = 9.12, P < 0.001) occurred, in addition to improvement in FIM Motor performance. A moderate positive correlation existed between change in Motor and Cognitive scores (Spearman's rho = 0.41). Generalized linear modelling indicated that better cognition at admission (coefficient = 0.398, P < 0.001) and younger age (coefficient = -0.280, P < 0.001) were predictive of improvement in Motor performance. Younger age (coefficient = -0.049, P < 0.001) was predictive of improvement in FIM Cognitive score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improvement in cognitive functioning was observed in addition to motor function improvement among this population. Causal links cannot be drawn without further research.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Metro South Health, Buranda, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia ; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McPhail
authors.affiliation: The Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia ; School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.affiliation: Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia ; The Prince Charles Hospital, Metro North Health, Brisbane, QLD 4032, Australia.
authors.forename: Suzanne S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kuys
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012046:Rehabilitation