Analysis of the most prevalent disorders in home-rehabilitation and physiotherapy units in the province of Almería (Spain)

• Published in: Gaceta sanitaria Vol. 26; no. 3; p. 284
• Main Authors: López-Liria, Remedios, Padilla-Gógora, David, Catalán-Matamoros, Daniel J, Rocamora-Pérez, Patricia, Martínez-Cortés, M del Carmen, Rodríguez-Martín, César R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.05.2012
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Home Care Services; Humans; Male; Physical Therapy Modalities - statistics & numerical data; Rehabilitation - statistics & numerical data; Spain; Spain
• ISSN: 1578-1283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2011.09.017

To describe the most prevalent disorders in 1753 patients referred to home rehabilitation and home physiotherapy units. We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study. The variables analyzed were age, gender, main diagnosis, functional capacity (Barthel Index), physiotherapeutic objectives, the treatment applied and the number of sessions. The main diagnoses were immobilization effects (29%), hip fracture (16.5%), stroke (13.7%), knee replacement (11.9%), hip replacement (4.7%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2.6%), and Alzheimer's disease (2.4%). The lowest Barthel Index was obtained in Alzheimer's disease, stroke and immobilization effects and the highest in patients with knee replacement. The process requiring the highest number of sessions for complete recovery was stroke. Significant improvements were confirmed in pre- and post- Barthel Index scores for each of the above-mentioned diagnoses, demonstrating greater functional independence among patients.