Autor(es):
Pinheira, Vítor 
; Alves, Daniela ; Pires, Marília
Data: 2014
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.11/2469
Origem: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco
Assunto(s): Cognition; Depression; Mobility; Physical activity; Hand grip; Physiotherapy
Descrição
INTRODUCTION:
The effects associated with aging may lead to changes in the functional status and cognitive ability, resulting in a set offunctional weaknesses and limitations, with consequent loss of mobility, autonomy and quality of life and a higher probability of anincrease of health problems. A better understanding of the factors that contribute to quality of life related to health can help physicaltherapists to select, to develop and implement strategies to promote the health of the elderly.
OBJECTIVES:
Evaluate the functionality ofthe elderly, through strength, mobility and physical activity level and relate to cognitive status, depression, and health status; understand which instruments are better related to the variables.
METHODS:
Descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study. Sample of 118 subjects, predominantly female (71.2%) with mean age of 79.53 ± 7.815 years, mostly residing in institutions for the elderly (55.1%). The instruments used were the MMSE (cognition), the GDS (depression), the SF12 (health status), the IPAC (physical activity levels), the TUG (mobility) and handgrip strength.
RESULTS:
We have found significant correlations between the cognitive status, depressive mood and dimensions of health outcomes. It was possible to identify significant relationships between these variables and the level of physical activity, as well as measures of physical function (grip strength, mobility). There were also significant relationships with sociodemographic variables and the consumption of health care.
CONCLUSIONS:
The relationship between cognitive and physical dimensions, their relationship to depressive states, with sociodemographic factors and the perception of health status allow us to understand the functionality as a decisive global dimension in the understanding of aging and its effectsThe mobility measured by the TUG, is revealed as an appropriate assessment instrument for physiotherapists in subjects with depression or cognitive changes.
