Yu‑Chuan Lina, Chun‑Ying Wengb, Chung‑Chao Liangc, Shao-Yin Chub,d,e*
aDepartment of Nursing, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, bDepartment of Medical Genetics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, cDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, dDepartment of Medical Education and Pediatrics, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien, Taiwan, eSchool of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
Open Access funded by Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation
Abstract
Objectives: This study investigated the effects of outpatient rehabilitation therapy (RT) on the functional performance of children from Eastern Taiwan with rare or genetic diseases. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study included 73 children from Eastern Taiwan who were affected with rare or genetic diseases, with an average age of 8.57 ± 5.33 years (47 boys and 26 girls). Each child received the goal‑directed therapy known as outpatient RT, which was delivered by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. To assess the effectiveness of RT, the WeeFIM‑C questionnaire data were collected and analyzed. Results: After receiving outpatient RT, most of the children only required low‑to‑moderate assistance with self‑care tasks (4.36 ± 2.38), and they could perform mobility‑related activities under supervision or independently (5.70 ± 2.29). Moreover, most only required minimal assistance with tasks related to cognitive functioning and tended to complete such tasks under supervision (4.97 ± 2.05). The functional performance was significantly different among three studied groups, in terms of self‑care (F[2, 68] = 5.42, P < 0.007), mobility (F[2, 68] = 8.17, P < 0.001), cognitive functioning (F[2, 68] = 3.31, P < 0.042), and overall (F[2, 68] = 6.44, P < 0.003) functional performance. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that the functional status was different among three studied groups in terms of self‑care, mobility, and cognitive functioning after receiving outpatient RT.
Keywords: Children with rare or genetic diseases, Rehabilitation therapy, WeeFIM‑C
