Rehabilitation outcomes of older persons within the context of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): a systematic review

Abstract

Aim: To investigate which ICF components have been reported in rehabilitation research involving older persons, which rehabilitation outcomes have been reported, and how associations between ICF components and rehabilitation outcomes have been described. Findings: Seven studies with 896 patients were included in a systematic review. Body functions, and activities and participation were consistently associated with functional independence and health-related quality of life. Environmental factors were also linked to rehabilitation outcomes, but personal factors were not reported because they are not coded within the ICF. Message: These findings highlight ICF components that are consistently associated with clinical outcomes in older persons and support a structured, stage-specific approach to assessment in rehabilitation research and clinical practice.