Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy (SCAND J OCCUP THER), 2012 Mar; 19(2): 204-13 (45 ref).Authors:Enemark Larsen, Anette ; Carlsson, Gunilla.
Abstract: In a community-based geriatric rehabilitation project, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used to develop a coordinated, interdisciplinary, and client-centred approach focusing on occupational performance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the COPM as an admission and outcome measure in an interdisciplinary geriatric rehabilitation context in Denmark. Eighteen occupational and physiotherapists administered the COPM among elderly citizens. Of 185 citizens referred to the study, 152 were admitted to rehabilitation based on health indices, and 124 completed the COPM after their admission, identifying 404 occupational performance issues in all. Post-assessment data were obtained from 95 participants and revealed statistically significant positive change ( p < 0.001) in both performance and satisfaction with performance. Furthermore the therapists answered a questionnaire evaluating their experiences, showing that they found development in knowledge and community between the professions to benefit both therapists and citizens, and gained a better insight into their clients' everyday lives through the COPM. In conclusion, the COPM may be useful as an admission and outcome measurement for the rehabilitation of elderly citizens; however, aspects of education and administration must be considered before the instrument can be successfully administered in an interdisciplinary geriatric rehabilitation context..
NB: Note last statement re limitations.

This paper describes the development of an outcome measure, COPM, which is designed to be used with these guidelines for client-centred clinical practice. The COPM is an outcome measure designed for use by OT's to assess client outcomes in the areas of self-cares, productivity and leisure. Using a semi-structured interview; the COPM is a five step process which measures individual, client-centred problem areas in daily function. Two scores, for performance and satisfiction with performance are obtained. This paper decribes the rationale and development of the COPM as well as information about its use for therapists.

American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 75(1), 1996, pp 40-43.
Previous studies examining the relationship between cognition and ability to benefit from inpatient rehabilitation have found cognitive dysfunction to be associated with a poor rehabilitation outcome. To examine whether cognitive dysfunction precluded effective rehabilitation, 52 consecutive admissions to a geriatric rehabilitation unit were assigned Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Functional gains were assessed by the change in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score from admission to discharge. Neither MMSE score alone nor in combination with age was significantly associated with change in FIM (r = 0.10; R = 0.25; P r = 0.58; R = 0.58; P r = 0.49; R = 0.51; P . <0.0001) and discharge><0.0004). Patients evidenced a similar increase in functional status regardless of cognitive ability, but cognitively impaired individuals entered the inpatient unit with a lower functional status, and their level of function at discharge was also impaired relative to cognitively intact cohorts. Low MMSE scores were associated with a greater likelihood of nursing home placement, but a considerable percentage (38%) of individuals with severe cognitive impairment returned home following discharge. These findings suggest that geriatric patients with cognitive dysfunction should be considered for admission to rehabilitation programs if functional gains will affect quality of life or disposition.

Unsworth, C. (2000). Measuring the outcome of occupational therapy: Australian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47, 147-158.
Unsworth has written a great deal on this topic - including the development of the AUSTOMS.