Functional Independence in Adolescents and Adults with Down Syndrome

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to investigate the level of functional independence of adolescents and adults with Down syndrome (DS) and to examine the influence of their demographic characteristics, level of disability, and comorbidities on their functional independence. The study population was obtained from the voluntary registry members of the Republic of China Foundation for Persons with DS in Taiwan. Two hundred and sixteen adolescents and adults with DS (≧15 years) whose caregivers had completed valid structured questionnaires were recruited for the study. The present study used the Barthel Index (BI) of activities of daily living (ADL) to determine a baseline level of physical functioning in people with DS. The results showed that 1·9% of the cases were severely dependent (BI score 21–60), 20·4% of the cases were moderately dependent (BI score 61–90), 8·3% of the cases were mildly dependent (BI score 91–99), and 69·4% of the cases were totally independent (BI score 100). The multiple logistic regressions indicated that those DS respondents with milder disability level, no comorbidity conditions, and lower risk for dementia were more likely to be functional independence than their counterparts. of the respondents with DS. Regarding the improvement of the quality of life of people with DS, this study highlights the fact that action should be taken to increase the awareness of the functional independence among adults with DS and that specific interventions should be taken to improve the ability of adults with DS to carry out their activities of daily living.

• Activities of daily living (ADL)
• Barthel Index (BI)
• Down syndrome
• Mobility
• Functional independence

Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, Republic of China (grant no. NSC 101-2314-B-016-026-MY3). We would also like to thank the Republic of China Foundation for Persons with Down Syndrome for their administrative assistance and the caregivers of people with Down Syndrome for their participation in the study.