Level Of Functional Capacity Research Articles

Surgery to achieve dynamic motor balance in adult acquired spastic hemiplegia: A preliminary report

Reconstructive surgery of the upper limb was performed in an attempt to restore dynamic motor balance in 55 patients with adult-acquired spastic hemiplegia. An eight-level grading system was developed to determine the level of functional capacity. Because this system proved useful in predicting the results of surgery, it was utilized for operative planning. A two-level increase in functional grade was necessary for patients to obtain a meaningful increase in function. The average improvement after surgery was 2.10 functional levels. A two-level increase was achieved in 73.2% of the patients. No patient decreased in grade, and only one remained unchanged. In selected patients with upper limb spasticity, a predictable improvement in functional capacity can be obtained with dynamic motor balancing surgery.

Help with activities of everyday life: sources of support for the noninstitutionalized elderly.

This paper explores sources of instrumental support for older persons of varying levels of functional capacity. Data were gathered through interviews with a probability sample of 753 noninstitutionalized elderly residing in northeastern New York. The analysis suggests that spouses are the primary source of help for married elders with impaired capacity, and adult daughters are the major helpers when a spouse is not present or when the level of support provided by the spouse is not sufficient. Helping networks increase in both size and scope as functional capacity declines.