Status of General Health, Functional Independence and Services in Persons with Locomotor Disability (A Study between Social Work Intervention and Non-intervention Group)

Abstract

Several studies were made on health status and social work intervention but there is still a lag on studies focusing on functional independence in persons with disabilities. Hence this study was undertaken to compare status of general health, functional independence and social services between social work intervention and non-interventional group. 20 Clients who are attending services at NIEPMD under the category of locomotor disability were selected and allocated randomly into social work interventional and non-interventional groups. Both groups were distributed pamphlets and guidance about various services available in NIEPMD for persons with locomotor disabilities. The interventional group was in addition given regular counselling and information on, services and benefits available in NIEPMD and the importance of therapies in improving quality of life in persons with disabilities. After a month of intervention at NIEPMD, all the clients were assessed using General Health Questionnaire 28 and Functional Independence Measure Scale. There was significant difference in scores of functional independence measure between interventional and non-interventional groups and the scores of general health questionnaire-28 had no significant difference between both the groups.