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A Profiling Study of Physical Function and Performance in Inpatient Adults Experiencing Homelessness at St. James's Hospital

Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: A total of sixty-five participants consented to participate and took park in some or all of the outlined test battery.The majority of participants (n=44, 67.7%) were male.The mean (± SD) age was 47 (+/-13.2) years with a range of 23 to 80 years.Most participants (n= 41, 64%) utilized hostel accommodation or were rough sleepers (n=11, 17%).More than one third of participants (n= 24, 36.9%)used a mobility aid.Adherence rates were highest with the subjective outcome measures, while adherence rates were lowest with the 6MWT and the SCT.High adherence rates to the test battery overall and good levels of engagement with the subjective questionnaire demonstrated the feasibility of conducting a study with this cohort.Overall, this study demonstrated poor physical status among this cohort of homeless inpatients.Of note, participants had globally poor physical status, irrespective of age or gender.Low physical fitness and function was noted in the younger participants aged between 20 and 30 and was broadly consistent throughout the various age groups.The normal age-related decrements in mobility and physical status did not occur but rather widespread substandard levels of physical fitness and function were observed.In conclusion, this study gathered a comprehensive physical profile of inpatients of a large acute hospital experiencing homelessness.This study also trialed a physical test battery with this cohort and offered recommendations for future studies.It was found that falls are prevalent among this cohort.In general, widespread poor mobility and functional ability was identified irrespective of gender or age.Low physical activity levels were consistently reported.Prolonged mobility aid use was noted, which underlines an unmet rehabilitation need among this population.The 6MWT and SCT were deemed unsuitable measures for this cohort as less than half of participants were able to attempt these measures.Future studies should elucidate suitable strategies to bridge the rehabilitation gap observed in this vulnerable cohort.v OUTCOME MEASURES ......
Language: English
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3041721831
Cites: 58
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Related to: 10