Determinants of quality of life in elderly rehabilitation users at a day care service center

Hajime Shibata, Hiromi Owada, Makoto Uchinoura, Yuki Kishikawa, Hiroya Miyabara, Yuji Yamaguchi, Seijiro Nishimura, Shinichi Shibata
Purpose:

We investigated the relationship of QOL with cognitive function, physical function, and activity ability, and aimed to identify functions related to QOL improvement, among elderly people who use day-care rehabilitation.

Methods:

The participants were 37 elderly rehabilitation users, whose QOL was assessed using the Health Organization QOL26 (WHOQOL26), which consists of a 26-item self-report questionnaire. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, while physical function was assessed with seated forward bending, knee extension, grip, 30-second chair stand test, timed up and go test, and gait speed. Activity ability was assessed using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG index). 

Results:

A positive correlation was found between five WHOQOL26 categories (psychological QOL, social QOL, environmental QOL, total QOL, and QOL average) and social role in the TMIG index. There was also a positive correlation between four WHOQOL26 categories (psychological QOL, social QOL, environmental QOL, and QOL average) and instrumental activity of daily living in the TMIG index. To identify factors influencing the QOL score, association with TMIG index was investigated. Social role in the TMIG index was a positive factor in psychological and social QOL.

Conclusion(s):

As found in this study, psychological and social QOL are related to Social Role as an activity ability involving intimate relationships with people and society, suggesting that maintaining or improving Social Role is important for improving the QOL of the older adults. We believe that the results of this study can be utilized in the future management of day care rehabilitation facilities to improve QOL by incorporating programs that not only improve physical function but also allow people to find their social roles, such as personal interaction. In addition, we would like to continue to provide appropriate programs for the older adults and conduct longitudinal surveys for further study. As found in this study, psychological and social QOL are related to Social Role as an activity ability involving intimate relationships with people and society, suggesting that maintaining or improving Social Role is important for improving the QOL of the older adults.

Implications:

We believe that the results of this study can be utilized in the future management of day care rehabilitation facilities to improve QOL by incorporating programs that not only improve physical function but also allow people to find their social roles, such as personal interaction. In addition, we would like to continue to provide appropriate programs for the older adults and conduct longitudinal surveys for further study.

Funding acknowledgements:
This research was conducted without any specific funding sources.
Keywords:
World Health Organization quality of life 26
Social role
Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence
Primary topic:
Older people
Second topic:
Sustainable health
Third topic:
Community based rehabilitation
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Committee of Kurume Rehabilitation Hospital of the Kabutoyama Medical Corporation.
Provide the ethics approval number:
21-001
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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