[Characteristics of participants in community-based rehabilitation programs and their levels of independence in activities of daily living].

To clarify characteristics of participants in community-based rehabilitation programs provided by local municipalities (cities, towns, and villages) and effect of the program on their levels of independence in activities of daily living (ADL), a cross-sectional study was performed on 422 participants in 49 municipalities in Kochi Prefecture. 1. Mean age of participants was 68.3 +/- 9.0, and 77.7% of them were stroke patients. 2. The mean interval between disease onset and program participation was 40.4 months, and the mean duration of program participation was 54.5 months. 3. At the start of rehabilitation programs and at the time of the investigation (December 1993), about 90% of the participants had good levels of independence in ADL (Rank A and over according to the standard of the Ministry of Health and Welfare). 4. The frequency of rehabilitation programs and the presence of occupational therapists were positively associated with the improvement of levels of independence in ADL. In particular, the frequency of rehabilitation programs was associated with improvement of quality of life in self-supporting participants (Rank J2), and the presence of occupational therapists was associated with the improvement of ADL in semi-bed-ridden participants (Rank A). 5. After adjusting for age and sex, using multiple logistic regression analysis, type of diseases (non-stroke), hospital rehabilitation immediately after onset, higher levels of independence in ADL at the start of rehabilitation programs, and higher frequency of rehabilitation programs were significantly associated with improvements in levels of independence in ADL. Shorter interval between disease onset and program participation, and the presence of occupational therapists were also associated with improvements in levels of independence in ADL, although the relation did not reach statistical significance.