Role Of Functional Assessment Research Articles

The Role of Functional Assessment as an Outcome Measure in Antidementia Treatment

Functional assessment refers to the evaluation of performance in basic activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, professional duties, and hobbies. This assessment is particularly relevant in the evaluation of cognitive impairment. In fact, functional decline represents a core feature of dementia according to the DSM-IV criteria. Clinically, functional deterioration represents a diagnostic marker, can be used to chart the course of the disease, and as a prognostic marker as it contributes significantly to caregiver burden and institutionalization. For all these reasons, functional assessment has been widely used as an outcome measure in intervention trials of Alzheimer disease (AD). Appropriate function assessment scales have been developed for use in clinical trials of AD. Studies have shown that functional decline benefits from pharmacological interventions in AD and some other cognitive syndromes. This benefit translates into a stabilization ranging between 6 to 12 months compared to a gradual deterioration in the placebo group. There is rarely reversibility for IADL's lost. There are no functional scales specifically designed for assessment of subjects with non-AD cognitive impairment. Scales specifically developed for Mild Cognitive Impairment and other dementias are needed.

FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT FOR TRANSITIONS IN PATIENT ACUITY AND CARE

This article provides an overview of functional assessment, describes how functional assessment is performed using standardized tools, and discusses the nurse's role in functional assessment and the interdisciplinary rehabilitation practice setting. In addition, a description of the various levels of care used in the provision of rehabilitative services, and examples of how functional assessment may be related to moving a patient to the next level of care and along the continuum of care, are provided.

The role of functional assessment in evaluating urinary incontinence

Particularly for older people, ability to function can play an important role in generating and maintaining continence. Assessment of function is essential to proper clinical evaluation and treatment of urinary incontinence. Physical, mental, environmental, and social factors should be evaluated, including mobility, balance, musculoskeletal strength and flexibility, fine motor coordination, vision, body awareness, ability to understand and follow simple instructions, motivation, access to toilet, adequacy of physical supports, availability of a caregiver, caregiver-patient dynamics, and the effect of incontinence on social interactions. Assessment strategies should involve careful first-hand observations, use of clinically appropriate assessment instruments, and, where indicated, use of a geriatric assessment team. A functional profile is useful in tailoring treatment strategies to the needs and strengths of individual patients, as well as in monitoring progress. The development of treatment plans is often best carried out in the setting of a health-care team conference.

Role of Functional Assessment in the Evaluation of Urinary Incontinence

Role of Functional Assessment in the Evaluation of Urinary Incontinence

Psychologists' role in functional assessment of rehabilitation patients.

In this study attention was paid to the psychological criteria that clinicians may use when assessing global functioning of rehabilitation patients. Global functioning was understood to be determined by physical, psychological and social factors and was operationally defined as performance in three different areas of life: work, daily activities and human relations. The psychological factors whose relationships to global functioning were studied were three components of personality dynamics:--mental health, cognitive skills and motivation. Patients' mental health, cognitive abilities, motivation and global functioning were clinically rated on the basis of data given by psychological interview, psychological test-results and other information. Correlation analysis showed that the clinicians tend to use the mental health state, the level of cognitive performance and the degree of motivation as criteria when assessing the functioning of rehabilitation patients during the rehabilitation examination. However, multiple regression analysis showed that these psychological variables explained as little as 32% of the variance in follow-up functioning. This is in agreement with the biopsychosocial view that psychological factors are only one class of events manifesting in illness, functioning and behavior.