Abstract:
BACKGROUND : Adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) have problems to be actively
involved in essential life activities that affect their health. The aim of this study was to explore the utility of goal
attainment scaling (GAS) in evaluating an intervention for adults with PIMD, and to describe how the GAS goals
were set according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains of body
function as well as activity and participation.
METHOD : As part of an aquatic intervention (Structured water dance), 28 adults with PIMD received GAS goals
which were adapted to their individual needs and which the intervention could affect.
RESULT : Twenty of the goals were formulated within the ICF Activity/Participation domain and eight within the
Body Functions domains. On average, participants improved by 1.25 levels on the five-level GAS scales.
CONCLUSION : GAS can be a useful tool for setting and evaluating individualized and meaningful goals, in body
functions as well as in activity and participation, related to a healthpromoting activity for adults with PIMD.
