The Role of Cognition and Depression in Predicting Functional Outcome in Geriatric Medical Rehabilitation Patients

Abstract

The roles depression and cognition play in activities of daily living (ADL) and ambulation recovery in geriatric patients were investigated. Subjects consisted of 423 medical rehabilitation inpatients between the ages of 60 and 99. Depression and cognition as measured by standard tests at admission were found to be significantly related to performance on ADLs and ambulation at admission and discharge. Furthermore, measures of depression and cognition accounted for 7% of unique discharge ADL variance above and beyond that accounted for by admission level of ADL functioning, demographic variables, and number of existing medical conditions. Level of depression and quality of cognitive abilities did not, however, predict ambulation recovery in a regression model. Overall, depression and cognition appear to play a significant role in functional recovery. Treatment strategies for multidisciplinary team members are provided.