Longitudinal Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults Receiving Rehabilitative Care in a Japanese Geriatric Health Service Facility

INTRODUCTION: This exploratory study examined longitudinal trends in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older adults receiving short-term inpatient rehabilitation at a Japanese geriatric health service facility (ROKEN). METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted at one ROKEN facility in Kurashiki City. Participants admitted for approximately three months with planned discharge home were assessed using the SF-12 (PCS, MCS, RCS) and ASCOT SCT4 at three time points: pre-admission (T1), one month after admission (T2), and one month post-discharge (T3). Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were applied. RESULTS: Of 49 participants enrolled, 24 completed all assessments. Mental health (MCS) showed a modest improvement from T1 to T3 (p=0.04), while role-related and social domains (RCS and ASCOT) declined after discharge. Satisfaction with personal care, food, and accommodation remained high, whereas control over daily life and social participation decreased. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that inpatient rehabilitation may support mental health, but social and role-related aspects tend to worsen after discharge. High attrition and small sample size limit generalizability, underscoring the need for further research and enhanced post-discharge support.