Serial Mediation Pathways Linking Physical Performance to EQ-VAS-Assessed Self-Rated Health in Older Inpatients

Background/Objectives: This study examined patterns of cross-sectional indirect associations involving cognitive status, depressive symptoms, and functional status in the relationship between Tinetti Mobility Test (TMT)-assessed balance and gait performance and self-rated health assessed with the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) in older inpatients.

Methods

The study included 287 Romanian inpatients aged ≥65 years. Depressive symptoms, cognitive status, and functional status were assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, respectively. Mediation analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro v4.3.1 for SPSS. Model 80 was used with 5000 bootstrap samples and adjusted for sex, age, residence, and obesity.