Assessment of quality of life and participation within an outpatient rehabilitation setting

To evaluate the use of quality of life and participation measures in routine rehabilitation practice, determine the relationship between two scales and investigate their ability to evaluate change in a general outpatient population over a time of rehabilitation.

This cohort study consisted of 55 patients admitted consecutively to an outpatient rehabilitation centre. All participants completed the WHOQOL-BREF and the London Handicap Scale (LHS) at admission and discharge.

Non-parametric statistical analysis demonstrated a significant change in the total scores of both the WHOQOL-BREF and LHS over time (Z = -4.33, P < 0.001 and Z = -4.40, P < 0.001 respectively) with 'better' scores on completion of rehabilitation. A strong correlation existed between the total WHOQOL-BREF and LHS scores both cross-sectionally (admission and discharge p > 0.7), and longitudinally (p = 0.63).

Our study demonstrated a strong relationship between quality of life and participation, with change shown using both scales over a period of outpatient rehabilitation. Given the findings, it seems appropriate to use only one of these measures. The WHOQOL-BREF has a wider scope, being useful both to evaluate service delivery in a diverse outpatient population or when measuring an individual over time.