Application of the international classification of functioning, disability, and health to disability assessment for older people in China.
Yuanping Zhao, Hong Xie, Kun Wang and 3 others
PMID 38711832WHAT IT FOUND
In 1,610 older Chinese adults, self-care and activity limits were the most severe disability dimensions overall.
However, mild-to-moderate groups struggled most with emotion and spirit, while those with severe disability struggled most with self-care. Screening should adjust focus based on severity.
Key findings
01Self-care ability and activity was the most severe disability dimension overall, followed by emotion and spirit, then cognition and perception.
02Participants with mild or moderate disability showed the most severe problems in emotion and spirit, whereas those with moderate-to-severe or worse disability showed the most severe problems in self-care and activity.
03The study divided disability into five levels using cluster analysis, with the largest group (32.0%) classified as having complete disability.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sampling method and sample size were acknowledged as limitations by the authors. The study could not verify the rationality of the disability groupings against actual care service burdens, as that data was not yet collected. The cross-sectional design prevents conclusions about the progression of disability or the effectiveness of interventions. The scale's reliability and validity were based on preliminary research, not this study's direct measurement of clinical outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that emotional and spiritual distress is a minor issue in older adults with disability. This study found it was the most severe dimension for those with mild-to-moderate disability, exceeding self-care and cognitive issues in that subgroup.