The stress of caring for a loved one with chronic illness has been associated with childhood obesity. Hair cortisol has been proposed as a novel biomarker of chronic psychological stress. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between caregivers’ chronic stress evaluated by hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) and obesity measures among children with disabilities such as autism. Eighty-five dyads of children with disabilities and their primary caregivers participated in the study between April and July 2013 in the Patagonia Region, Chile. Trained research staff conducted anthropometric measurements of children and caregivers. Cortisol concentrations, extracted from hair samples with methanol, were quantified using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Pearson’s correlation coefficients and linear regression models were used to examine the associations between caregiver HCC (log-transformed) and child obesity measures with adjustment for covariates. Caregiver HCC were positively and significantly correlated with child weight (child age- and sex-adjusted r =0.23, P = 0.036), body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.23, P = 0.035), circumferences of neck (r = 0.30, P = 0.006), waist (r = 0.27, P = 0.014), and hip (r = 0.22, P = 0.044). After adjustment for children’s age and sex, caregiver HCC were significantly related to child weight (kg) (beta = 4.47, standard error (SE) = 2.09), BMI (kg/m2) (beta = 1.52, SE = 0.71), neck circumference (cm) (beta = 1.20, SE = 0.43), waist circumference (cm) (beta = 3.75, SE = 1.50), and hip circumference (cm) (beta = 3.02, SE = 1.48). Caregiver HCC were also positively but not statistically significantly associated with child waist-to-hip ratio (beta = 0.01, SE = 0.01; P = 0.191) or body fat percentage (%) (beta = 2.11, SE = 1.28; P = 0.104). Further adjustment for other covariates including child disability diagnosis and caregiver age, sex, education, current smoking, perceived stress, and caregiver BMI did not change the results substantially. Chronic stress of caregivers, evaluated by increased cortisol concentrations in hair, was positively associated with obesity measures among children with disabilities.

Background: Rehabilitation is a critical process for enhancing functionality, independence, and quality of life in individuals with disabilities. Grounded in the biopsychosocial model, it addresses physical, emotional, and social dimensions through personalized, evidence-based interventions. By integrating standardized assessments and continuous evaluation, rehabilitation has the potential to promote recovery and support active participation in society. Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of a long-term, multidisciplinary, home-based rehabilitation program on quality of life, balance, and functional autonomy in adults with neuromusculoskeletal disabilities. Methods: A total of 559 participants received individualized interventions from a team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and other health professionals. Functional independence, balance, depressive symptoms, and quality of life were assessed using the Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and SF-36 questionnaire, respectively. Results: A longitudinal analysis comparing pre- and post-intervention outcomes revealed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) across all metrics. The Barthel Index median increased from 85 to 90 points, indicating greater functional independence, while the Berg Balance Scale improved from 39 to 47 points, reflecting reduced fall risk. Depressive symptoms decreased, with Beck Depression Inventory scores dropping from 12 to 9, and both physical and mental health components of the SF-36 showed marked enhancements. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in addressing both physical and emotional needs, emphasizing the value of extended, personalized, home-based care in improving health, autonomy, and overall quality of life for individuals with disabilities. This study underscores the potential of multidisciplinary approaches to support long-term rehabilitation in diverse populations.

Background: Functional disability is a growing concern in aging populations with chronic health conditions, yet few studies have compared disability profiles across diagnostic categories using standardized tools. Objectives: This study aimed to characterize the functional profiles of adults with neurological, musculoskeletal, and chronic pain conditions using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) and to examine differences by age and sex. Methods: A total of 419 participants (median age = 73 years; 73% female) completed the 36-item WHODAS 2.0. Diagnoses were classified into three groups: neurological (n = 134), musculoskeletal (n = 230), and pain-related (n = 55). Domain-level scores were analyzed using non-parametric tests and Spearman correlations. Results: revealed that neurological conditions were associated with the highest disability levels, particularly in cognition, interpersonal relations, and participation. Musculoskeletal conditions showed greater impairments in mobility and self-care, while pain-related conditions demonstrated variable disability, especially in participation. Women reported higher disability scores in the neurologic group, with significant differences observed in the cognition domain among neurological cases (p = 0.048). Age was positively correlated with disability in self-care and mobility, especially in musculoskeletal conditions. Conclusions: These findings highlight the utility of WHODAS 2.0 in identifying domain-specific limitations across clinical populations. They support the need for individualized, diagnosis- and gender-sensitive rehabilitation strategies, and suggest that WHODAS 2.0 can inform targeted care planning and resource allocation in rehabilitation settings. Future research should incorporate longitudinal designs and explore contextual factors influencing functional outcomes.

This study evaluated the impact of a long-term, multidisciplinary, home-based rehabilitation program on quality of life, balance, and functional autonomy in adults with neuromusculoskeletal disabilities. A total of 559 participants received individualized interventions from a team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and other health professionals. Functional independence, balance, depressive symptoms, and quality of life were assessed using the Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and SF-36 questionnaire, respectively. A longitudinal analysis comparing pre- and post-intervention outcomes revealed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) across all metrics. The Barthel Index median increased from 85 to 90 points, indicating greater functional independence, while the Berg Balance Scale improved from 39 to 47 points, reflecting reduced fall risk. Depressive symptoms decreased, with Beck Depression Inventory scores dropping from 12 to 9, and both physical and mental health components of the SF-36 showed marked enhancements. These findings demonstrate the program's effectiveness in addressing both physical and emotional needs, emphasizing the value of extended, personalized, home-based care in improving health, autonomy, and overall quality of life for individuals with disabilities. This study underscores the potential of multidisciplinary approaches to support long-term rehabilitation in diverse populations.