Using the Omaha System to examine outpatient rehabilitation problems, interventions, and outcomes between clients with and without cognitive impairment.

A retrospective cohort design was used to examine whether the Omaha System was useful in documenting differences in outpatient rehabilitation problems, interventions, and outcomes between clients with cognitive impairment and those with intact cognition. The sample included 201 clients who had been admitted to a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility. The results showed no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of main Omaha problems, interventions, and outcomes between the two groups; however, clients with cognitive impairment experienced fewer changes in knowledge and behavior associated with neuromusculoskeletal function and pain than clients with intact cognition. These findings are consistent with an earlier report published by the authors that used standard instruments and indicate that the Omaha System can be valuable for rehabilitation clinical practice and research.