title: Home functioning profiles in people with multiple sclerosis and their relation to disease characteristics and psychosocial functioning.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For people with multiple sclerosis (MS), limitations in performing activities of daily living can have a significant impact on personal independence, residential safety, and quality of life. In this study we explored the utility of the Home Functioning Scale in identifying home functioning profiles and generating rehabilitation interventions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine whether distinctive and meaningful home functioning profiles could be identified among adults with MS based on Home Functioning Scale scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  Home Functioning Scale scores and additional data from a representative national sample of 3,834 adults were analyzed. We used cluster analysis and MANOVA to identify and evaluate group differences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three distinct home functioning profiles emerged in the analysis: (1) minimal impairment (31.1% of participants); (2) moderate impairment (52.4%); and (3) severe impairment (16.5%). The three groups exhibited significant differences on demographic and MS related characteristics, perceived cognitive function, perceived MS impact on physical and psychological function, and life satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The profile characteristics of the identified groups are presented and the implications of the results for rehabilitation practitioners and the investigation of home functioning in activities of daily living are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Mandy W M
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Eun-Jeong
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Human Development Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sheppard-Jones
authors.affiliation: Department of Early Childhood, Special Education, and Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Malachy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bishop
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010465:Perception; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Cluster analysis; activities of daily living