Objective: Evaluate, code and qualify the participation of Brazilian stroke survivors based on the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF) and identify predictors of post-stroke participation. Methods: An exploratory, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted involving 78 individuals with hemiparesis stemming from a stroke. The stroke specific quality of life (SS-QOL) was used to evaluate the participation component of the ICF. The geriatric depression scale was used to screen depressive symptoms; the functional independence measure (FIM) was used to measure the degree of dependence; grip strength was determined using a dynamometer; and cognitive status was evaluated using the mini mental state examination. The one-way analysis of variance followed by the Bonferroni test was used for the comparison the participation scores of different groups (age and marital status). The independent t-test was used for the comparisons of the other groups (sex, time since the occurrence of stroke (12 months) and degree of functional independence). Multiple linear regression was employed to identify measures capable of predicting participation. Results: Based on the classification and qualifiers of the ICF, the individuals analyzed exhibited a moderate level of participation. Participation was significantly associated with time since the occurrence of stroke (F = 2.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −23.67–0.34; p = 0.05), degree of functional independence (F = 2.40; 95% CI = −33.0 to −18.93; p < 0.001) and marital status (married or widowed) (F = 2.6; p = 0.05). No statistically significant associations were found with regard to age, sex or affected side of the body. Functional independence was the main predictor of participation (F = 99.2; r² = 0.57; p <0.001) and the occurrence of depressive symptoms was a moderate predictor (F =12.78; r² = 0.40; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Twenty-four ICF categories were coded and qualified with the use of the SS-QOL, enabling the participation component of the ICF biopsychosocial model to be easily evaluated in clinical practice. Overall, the sample in the present study demonstrated a moderate decline in participation following a stroke and only the “social roles” domain was severely affected. The FIM was the main predictor of participation and the depression was a moderate predictor. Therefore, health professionals involved in the rehabilitation of these patients should focus on the promotion of functional independence and improvements in emotional health to optimize social participation following a stroke.

This study aimed to identify the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health categories addressed by the assessment tools commonly used in post-stroke rehabilitation and characterize patients based on its evaluation model. [Subjects and Methods] An exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted involving 35 individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis. Handgrip strength was assessed to evaluate body functions and structures. The 10-meter gait speed test and Timed Up and Go test were administered to evaluate activity. The Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale was used to evaluate participation. Moreover, a systematic review of the literature was performed to identify studies that have associated these assessment tools with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health categories. [Results] The tools employed in this study for evaluating function addressed 63 International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health categories: 24 related to body functions and structures; 36 related to activity and participation; and 3 related to environmental factors. [Conclusion] The assessment tools employed in this study addressed 63 International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health categories and allowed a more complete evaluation of stroke survivors with hemiparesis. Use of this classification can therefore be more easily incorporated into clinical practice.

Impact of depression following a stroke on the participation component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. . ???aop.label???. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2015.1107774

The aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in a group of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and to analyze oral health according to the severity of the disease. [Methods] Signs and symptoms of TMD were evaluated using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders, and oral health impact was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile. The unpaired Student’s t-test was used to compare groups with and without TMD. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to determine correlations between the level of functional independence and oral health impact. Fisher’s exact test was used to test the association between TMD and the severity of symptoms of PD. [Results] Fifty-nine individuals with PD were analyzed. The prevalence of TMD was 20.33%. No statistically significant associations were found between TMD and the severity of PD. Oral health impact was considered weak, but a statistically significant difference between groups with and without TMD was found for psychological disability (p = 0.003). No significant correlation was found between the level of functional independence and oral health impact. [Conclusion] The prevalence of TMD among patients with Parkinson’s disease was 20.33%. A statistically significant difference between groups with and without TMD was found regarding the psychological disability domain.

Key words: stroke; quality of life; International Classification of Functioning, disability and health; physical therapy

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SS-QOL) scale for the assessment of social participation following a stroke. [Methods] A preliminary analysis was performed of the SS-QOL items that address the participation category. For this, the scoring patterns of the answers of individuals and internal consistence were determined using the Rasch model. Reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). [Results] The reliability coefficients analyzed by the Rasch model were 0.91 for the items and 0.87 for the patients. The separation index was 3.19 for the items and 2.58 for the patients. The findings indicate that the items separated the patients into three levels of participation: low, medium, and high. Among the 26 items addressing participation, three did not fit the model. All items showed adequate reliability (ICC ≥ 0.60). [Conclusion] The Rasch analysis detected three items with erratic behavior; however, the erratic patterns of these items may be explained by individual peculiarities among the patients. These items should be monitored to determine if the problems found in the present study persist. If so, the items should also be revised or possibly even eliminated.