REHAB-HF Functional Recovery Index Calculator

REHAB-HF Functional Recovery Index: Explanation and Clinical Context The REHAB-HF trial evaluated a tailored, multi-domain rehabilitation intervention in older patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), focusing on improving physical function including endurance, mobility, strength, and balance. While the primary outcome was change in the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) at 3 months, improvements were also observed in 6-minute walk distance and quality of life measures. The idea behind a “Functional Recovery Index” (FRI) is to synthesise functional capacity metrics into a single recovery score, potentially useful for clinicians to estimate the degree of functional restoration in older heart failure patients after discharge.

A higher FRI would indicate better recovery potential or achieved functional status. Although no fully validated universal predictive equation has been publicly published for FRI specifically in the REHAB-HF population, the components included (SPPB, 6MWD, KCCQ) reflect key functional and patient-reported outcome domains. Clinicians may use such a tool cautiously, as an adjunct alongside clinical judgement and comprehensive assessment in geriatric heart failure patients.