title: Factors that affect the quality of life of community-dwelling elderly women with musculoskeletal disorders.
abstract: [Purpose] This study aimed to examine the quality of life (QOL) of community-dwelling elderly women with musculoskeletal disorders and factors that affect it. [Subjects] The subjects were 27 community-dwelling elderly women with musculoskeletal disorders (mean age: 76.3 ± 7.4 years). Their physical and psychological conditions, QOL, and other characteristics were researched. [Methods] The Japanese version of Life-Space Assessment was used to assess the subjects' daily life activities; the Japanese version of Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), to assess their fear of falling; the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS 15), to assess their depression status; and the Life Satisfaction Index K (LSIK), to assess their QOL. [Results] The results indicated that the number of family members living together, degree of pain, fear of falling, and depression affect the LSIK scores of the community-dwelling elderly women with musculoskeletal disorders. [Conclusion] The study results suggest that the LSIK scores of community-dwelling elderly women with musculoskeletal disorders can be improved by easing their pain, improving their physical abilities to prevent falls, and improving their mobility. The results also suggest that continuing rehabilitation treatment is required.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, Japan.
authors.forename: Seiichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takemasa
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Geriatric Health Services Facility Elder Village, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryoma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nakagoshi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uesugi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, Japan.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gotou
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, Japan.
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koeda
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe International University, Japan.
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naruse
keywords: Community dwelling elderly women with musculoskeletal disorders; Life satisfaction; Quality of life (QOL)