Factors associated to functioning and health in relation to home rehabilitation in Sweden: a non-randomized pre-post intervention study

Abstract

Background Home rehabilitation is a growing rehabilitation service in many countries, but scientific knowledge of its components and outcomes is still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate; 1) which changes in functioning and self-rated health could be identified in relation to a home rehabilitation program in a population of community-dwelling citizens, and 2) how socio-demographic factors, health conditions and home rehabilitation interventions were associated to change in functioning and self-rated health after the home rehabilitation program. Method The sample consisted of participants in a municipal home rehabilitation project in Sweden and consisted of 165 community-dwelling citizens. General Linear Models (ANOVA repeated measures) was used for identifying changes in rehabilitation outcomes. Logistic regressions analysis was used to investigate associations between rehabilitation outcomes and potential factors associated to outcome. Result Overall improvements in functioning and self-rated health were found after the home rehabilitation program. Higher frequencies of training sessions with occupational therapists, length of home rehabilitation, and orthopaedic conditions of upper extremities and spine as the main health condition, were associated with rehabilitation outcomes. Conclusion The result indicates that the duration of home rehabilitation interventions and intensity of occupational therapy, as well as the main medical condition may have an impact on the outcomes of home rehabilitation and needs to be considered when planning such programs. However, more research is needed to guide practice and policymaking.

Relationships and gender differences within and between assessments used in Swedish home rehabilitation – a cross-sectional study

“…Enrolment was preceded by a dialogue based on the person’s health and functioning, wishes and needs, and willingness to undergo intensive rehabilitation. A more detailed description of the home rehabilitation process is described elsewhere [ 25 , 26 ]. Of the 311 persons who agreed to participate in the intervention, nine persons had no collected data (unknown reason n = 4, declined n = 3, and worsening health n = 2).…”

“…The categories were: condition of the circulatory and respiratory systems, mobility limitations including fall risk, multimorbidity and/or frailty , neurological conditions excl. stroke , orthopaedic conditions upper extremities and spine , orthopaedic conditions lower extremities and pelvis and stroke (a fuller description is presented elsewhere [ 25 ]).…”