Long-Term Change and Predictors of Change in Physical and Mental Function after Rehabilitation: A Multi-Centre Study

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation medicine 2023-01, Vol.55, p.jrm00358-jrm00358
• Main Authors: Berget, Anne Mette, Moen, Vegard Pihl, Hustoft, Merethe, Eide, Geir Egil, Skouen, Jan Sture, Strand, Liv Inger, Hetlevik, Øystein
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cardiovascular diseases; Changes; Coping; Coping resources; Function; Habits; Humans; Infant; Interdisciplinary aspects; Multicenter studies; Musculoskeletal Diseases - rehabilitation; Norway; Original Report; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation Centers; Sense of Coherence; Tumors
• ISSN: 1651-2081; 1650-1977; 1651-2081
• DOI: 10.2340/jrm.v55.2809

To investigate changes and predictors of change in physical and mental function over a 3-year period after rehabilitation. Prospective cohort. Patients, across diseases, living in western Norway, accepted for somatic specialized interprofessional rehabilitation (n = 984). Physical and mental function were assessed at admittance (baseline), and after 1 and 3 years using the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36). Associations between changes in SF-36 component summary scores and sense of coherence, pain, disease group (musculoskeletal, neoplasm, cardiovascular, neurological, other), exercise habits and demographic variables were analysed using linear mixed modelling. In the total group, mean (standard deviation) physical component summary scores improved by 2.9 (8.4) and 3.4 (9.3) points at 1 and 3 years, respectively. Mental component summary scores improved by 2.1 (9.7) and 1.6 (10.8) points. Improvement in physical component summary was significantly greater for patients with higher sense of coherence (b = 0.09, p = 0.001) and for the neoplasm disease group (b = 2.13, p = 0.046). Improvement in mental component summary was significantly greater for patients with low sense of coherence (b = -0.13, p = < 0.001) and higher level of education (b = 3.02, p = 0.0302). Interaction with age (physical component summary: b = 0.22, p = 0.039/mental component summary b = 0.51, p = 0.006) indicated larger effect at 1 year than at 3 years. Physical and mental function improved in the total study group over the 3-year period. Sense of coherence at baseline was associated with improved physical and mental function, suggesting that coping resources are important in rehabilitation.