Predicting Dropout and Mobility Achievements during in-Patient Geriatric Rehabilitation

Abstract

Aims: To predict, at the beginning of geriatric rehabilitation, patients who will not complete the in-patient rehabilitation and patients who will walk independently at the end of this period. Methods: Participants: A total of 40 older adults. Primary outcomes: Dropout rate, score 6–7 in the walking sub-items of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) at the end of rehabilitation. Predictors: Heart rate (HR) at rest, the Modified Borg Scale (MBS) while walking, and FIM walking at admission. Results: Twelve of the participants dropped out. An MBS > 5 best predicted who did not complete the rehabilitation intervention (accuracy = 0.70). At the end of the rehabilitation period, 24 were independent in mobility. A baseline FIM walking >2 and MBS < 7 predicted independence in walking (accuracy 0.84 and 0.82, respectively). Conclusion: Simple measures taken at the beginning of geriatric rehabilitation may contribute to estimating early not completion of rehabilitation and mobility independence at the end of the program.