Content Comparison of Long-Term Care Instruments Based On The International Classification of Functioning, Disability And Health (ICF)

Background: Aging crisis is proposing a huge challenge to the whole Chinese social welfare system, however a national Long-term Care (LTC) Instrument has not established yet. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the content of six selected LTCs based on the linkage of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), so as to provide insights for the development of Chinese national LTC instrument in the future. Methods: Two trained health professionals performed the linkage according to the refined ICF linking rules. The main concepts included in the items of three international LTC instruments, namely Minimum Data Set 3.0 (MDS 3.0), Initial Assessment Instrument(IAI), and New Assessment Tool for Determining Dependency on Nursing Care (NBA), as well as three Chinese instruments, namely Disability Assessment of Long-Term Care (DA-LTC), Specification for Elderly Care Unified Need Assessment in Shanghai Version 2.0 (SEC-UNA 2.0), and pictorial-based Longshi Scale (LS) were selected and linked to the ICF categories. The six selected LTC instruments were analyzed and compared at the levels of ICF components, chapters, and categories. Results: The main concepts of 340 valid items of the six LTC instruments were linked to 112 different ICF categories. Within the ICF framework, the “Activities and Participation” component was most frequently addressed in the LTC instruments followed by the “Body functions” component, and the percentages were 0.52 and 0.38, respectively. At the ICF chapters level, “b1 mental functions,” “d4 mobility,” and “d5 self-care” were the core of the LTC instruments. In addition, the contents of the six selected LTC instruments differed greatly. Conclusions: The ICF provides a useful external reference for the analysis and comparison of different LTC instruments. The findings suggest that key elements to determine eligibility for LTC in China need to be further identified. It is anticipated that this study will provide new insights for the development of Chinese national LTC instruments.

A review on tools for measuring activity limitation in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

The burden of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) ranges from 10.5% to 32.2% and up to half of the diabetic patients will eventually develop neuropathy in the course of their disease. The present paper reviews the existing tools and measures for assessing activity limitation as a result of DPN; using a not exhaustive search strategy, limited to PubMed. The tools available for the assessment of activity limitation as a consequence of DPN are based on International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and are equally effective. The researcher must make the choice based on cultural validation and specific study objectives. Researchers should select a set of tools and procedures that are appropriate for study purposes, study settings and strive to use them consistently.

The development of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for deafblindness: A study protocol

Background Individuals with deafblindness experience a combination of hearing and vision impairments. The World Health Organization has developed a global framework referred to as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to describe health and functioning. From the full ICF classification, a selection of categories, referred to as ICF Core Sets, provide users with a tool to describe functioning and disability in specific health conditions. There has been no ICF Core Set created for deafblindness. Given that core sets are instrumental in improving clinical practice, research, and service delivery, the aim of this study is to develop an ICF Core Set for deafblindness. Methods As part of the preparatory phase in the ICF Core Set development, there are four studies that will be conducted. This includes the [1] systematic literature review that examines the researcher’s perspective, [2] qualitative study focusing on the individuals with deafblindness experience, [3] experts survey that looks at health professional’s perspective, and [4] empirical study that examines the clinical perspective. The studies will be conducted using the principles outlined by the ICF Research Branch for the development of ICF Core Sets. The systematic literature review protocol was submitted for registration on PROSPERO CRD42021247952. Discussion An ICF Core Set created for deafblindness will benefit individuals living with deafblindness who are often excluded from social participation, policies, and services. An ICF Core Set for deafblindness will have a significant impact on healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, service providers and individuals with deafblindness by facilitating communication among all stakeholder to support the functioning of those with deafblindness.

Pre-stroke physical activity in relation to post-stroke outcomes – linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): A scoping review

Objective: This scoping review aims to identify how pre-stroke physical activity (PA) has been studied in relation to outcomes after stroke using the ICF framework. Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and grey literature databases were systematically searched from inception to March 15, 2021, with no language restrictions. Risk of bias was evaluated for all included studies. Identified outcome measures were linked to ICF components using linking rules, and the main findings were summarized. Results: Of 3664 records screened, 35 studies were included. The risk of bias was graded as moderate to critical for all studies. There were 60 unique outcome measures studied in relation to pre-stroke PA, covering the hyper acute to chronic phases of stroke recovery. Outcome measures linked to body functions were most common (n=19), followed by activities and participation (n=14), body structures (n=7), environmental factors (n=4) and personal factors (n=2). There were large differences in assessments of pre-stroke PA, and only one study analysed haemorrhagic cases separately. Conclusions: Pre-stroke PA has been studied in relation to all components in the ICF framework. However, this review highlights the high risk of bias, heterogeneity in pre-stroke PA assessments, and the lack of information regarding haemorrhagic strokes in the current literature. Lay Abstract We used the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to categorise the outcome measures of 35 studies. The ICF includes the following domains of health: body functions, body structures, activities, participation, and environmental factors. We identified 60 outcome measures, covering all domains of the ICF. Most common were measures related to body functions such as stroke symptoms, cognition or respiratory function, and activities or participation, such as functional recovery and walking ability. Few studies evaluated personal and environmental factors. Most studies collected information on physical activity before the stroke after the stroke had occurred, and all studies used self-reported information which is problematic from a scientific point of view and can lead to erroneous results. Future studies are needed to determine the true impact of physical activity on outcomes after stroke.

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health core set for vision loss: A discussion paper and invitation

The World Health Organization created the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to provide a common framework to understand and describe functioning and disability. To make the ICF more applicable for everyday use, an ICF core set can be developed. We are going to reduce the entire ICF of 1400 categories to essential categories that can be used in a specific health context. These ICF core sets are created through a scientific process based on preparatory studies and the involvement of a multidisciplinary group of experts. The aim of this project is the development of an internationally accepted, evidence-based and valid ICF core set for irreversible vision loss. This article describes the process that is followed in detail and invites stakeholders to participate in the development.

ICF-basiertes Training in der Neurorehabilitation

Physiotherapeutische Rehabilitation in der Neurologie mit der ICF führt hin zu einer hohen Lebensqualität der Patient_innen auch bei funktionaler und struktureller Beeinträchtigung. ICF in der Neurorehabilitation Die International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) der WHO stützt sich auf das bio-psycho-soziale Modell: Es orientiert sich an der Frage, wie Patient_innen und Klient_innen trotz und mit Beeinträchtigungen eine hohe Lebensqualität und Wohlbefinden gewinnen. Damit setzt sie einen neuen Maßstab in der Gesundheitsversorgung und erklärt die funktionale Gesundheit des Menschen, seine Teilhabe und Umweltbedingungen zum Schwerpunkt der professionellen Dienste der Gesundheitsberufe. Das Fachbuch stellt ein ICF-basiertes Training als Konzept für die physiotherapeutische Therapieplanung vor, evidenzbasiert auf Erkenntnissen der neurologischen Rehabilitation. Es verortet die Beschwerden neurologischer Patienten in die Struktur der ICF und unterstützt die Auswahl geeigneter Instrumente zur Messung und Befundung (Assessments), damit sie differenziert und umfassend erhoben werden können. Daran schließt sich die Auswahl und Anwendung der therapeutischen Maßnahmen an. Es bietet daher ein weites Spektrum für das professionelle Handeln der Physiotherapie und unterstützt die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit. Zur Struktur des Inhalts: • Grundlagen der ICF für die Neurorehabilitation • ICF-basiertes Training: Assessment, Diagnostik, Planung, Therapieziele, Behandlung • Fallbeispiele und Erkrankungen: Schlaganfall, Multiple Sklerose, Ideopathisches Parkinson-Syndrom (IPS), Querschnittsläsion (QS)

Physical activity participation among older adults with diabetes: Applying the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Guidelines

Objective: Physical activity (PA) is a known benefit to older adults with diabetes; however, the determinants of PA are less well studied in this population. Applying the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), a well-established biopsychosocial framework, we explored PA participation among older adult with type 2 diabetes. Method: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study and the RAND Center for the Study of Aging (N = 2,016; mean age = 73.19; SD = 6.16), we conducted hierarchical stepwise regression analysis to evaluate the relative contribution of different biopsychosocial predictors to PA – namely, body functions and structure, activity and participation, personal, and environmental factors. Results: Altogether, biopsychosocial factors accounted for 20% of the variance in PA participation. Of the personal factors, high extraversion and low neuroticism explained approximately 54% of the variance in PA among the older adults – beyond sociodemographics. Low body mass index, reduced pain, reduced depression, and higher cognitive functioning also had good explanatory power (25% of explained variance), whereas activity participation and environment did not (10% each). Conclusion: Aligning care with components of the ICF will help to ensure a focus on person-centric practices and, in turn, optimize participation outcomes such as PA.