Psychotropic drug use and cognitive rehabilitation practice for elderly patients

Eiji Kose, Toshiyuki Hirai, Toshiichi Seki

Background Psychotropic drugs were associated with greater risks of adverse drug reactions, including lower the level of consciousness, cause cognitive dysfunction, relax muscles, cause hypotension and others. However, the effect of psychotropic drug use on rehabilitation outcomes is poorly documented in Japan. Objective To assess the association of increased psychotropic drugs during hospitalization with activities of daily living among elderly patients. Setting This study was conducted at the convalescent rehabilitation ward in the Hitachinaka General Hospital in Japan. Method This retrospective longitudinal cohort study included consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years between 2010 and 2016. Participants were divided based on presence or absence of increased psychotropic drugs including benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antiepileptic drugs during hospitalization. Functional recovery was assessed by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Multivariate analyses were performed, adjusting for confounding factors. Main outcome measures Cognitive gain in the Functional Independence Measure. Results We included 631 participants (227 males, 404 females) with a median age of 78 years (interquartile range 73-84 years). Multiple regression analysis revealed that change in psychotropic drug use, cognitive FIM at admission, and age were independently and negatively correlated with cognitive FIM gain. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the "Comprehension" and "Memory" items of the cognitive FIM gain were independently and negatively associated with increased psychotropic drug use. Conclusion Increased psychotropic drug use during hospitalization may predict limited the improvement of cognitive activities of daily living in geriatric patients.