Study assessed the responsiveness of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) activities of daily living (ADL) scale to change over time by examining the change in physical function in adults with moderate to severe dementia with no comorbid illness who had been nursing home residents for over 90 days. Severity of dementia was determined by the MDS cognitive performance scale. Physical function was assessed by summing the 7 items on the MDS-ADL long form scale: bed mobility, transfer, locomotion, dressing, eating, toilet use, and personal hygiene. Mean change over time of MDS-ADL scores were estimated at 3 and 6 months. Results showed that at the end of the 6-month period, residents with moderate cognitive impairment showed a mean decline in ADL of 1.78 points, while those with severe cognitive impairment declined by an average of 1.70 points. Residents in both cognitive groups showed a significant decline in all 7 individual ADL items.

Abstract taken from http://www.naric.com/nidrr/grantees/record.cfm?search=2&rec;=102780

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