The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills as a measure of ADL ability in schizophrenia

Abstract

Background: Functional impairments in schizophrenia are substantial, complex, and persistent. Objective measurement of ADL ability, functional capacity and performance is needed for effective intervention planning and outcome evaluation. Objective: To evaluate ADL ability in people with schizophrenia using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) and to determine the utility of using the AMPS to predict levels of assistance required for successful community living. Method: In a retrospective audit, AMPS ADL measures of a consecutive sample of 64 people with schizophrenia admitted to a mental health facility were compared with normative data and with recommended “cut-off” measures for competency to live independently in the community. Results: Substantial difficulties were measured in both ADL motor (mean z = –1.5) and ADL process ability (mean z = –2.1). AMPS ability measures did not predict problems with independent living for 62.5% of the patients. Conclusion: People with schizophrenia admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility experienced significant difficulty performing ADL tasks. AMPS is a useful measure of ADL ability but should be used in conjunction with measures of functional performance in order to plan interventions and supports for people with schizophrenia that reflect the complexity of factors affecting community functioning.

Key words:

• occupational therapy
• mental illness
• function
• evaluation
• activities of daily living

Acknowledgements

Emma Harrison is acknowledged for contributing to the conduct of AMPS evaluations in routine clinical assessment and rehabilitation planning.

Declaration of interest: The authors received no payments for this study and declare that there are no conflicts of interest in relation to the subject of this study.