Application of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 in Older Adults: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Future Direction

Authors

• Yuan-Chen Chang, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Tsan-Hon Liou, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Lien-Chieh Lin, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
• Reuben Escorpizo, Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
• Shih-Wei Huang, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, TaiwanFollow

Abstract

The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) is increasingly valued in geriatric care and rehabilitation for its patient-centered approach and sensitivity to cognitive and social dimensions of disability. It has demonstrated utility in assessing disability prevalence, predicting functional outcomes after dementia, and monitoring rehabilitation effectiveness in older adults. This review evaluated WHODAS 2.0’s application in older populations, identifying research gaps and clinical implications. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase in April 2025 by using the keywords “WHODAS,” “Elderly,” “Geriatric,” and “Disability” without time restrictions. Studies evaluating disability in individuals aged >60 years using WHODAS 2.0 were included. Of the 1065 identified articles, 21 met the inclusion criteria, covering 82,560 older adults across studies published between 2005 and 2025. Most included studies employed a cross-sectional design. The review found that higher WHODAS 2.0 scores were consistently associated with greater levels of frailty, depression, and cognitive decline. Moreover, notable cultural variations in item responding were observed across different populations. These findings highlight WHODAS 2.0 as a clinically valid tool and emphasize the importance of cultural adaptation. Despite challenges limiting its broader international adoption, Taiwan’s pioneering integration of WHODAS 2.0 into national frameworks offers valuable insights into its potential to bridge clinical assessment and social policy. Future research should focus on technological innovation, cross-cultural validation, and development of normative data to enhance its global clinical utility.

Recommended Citation

Chang, Yuan-Chen; Liou, Tsan-Hon; Lin, Lien-Chieh; Escorpizo, Reuben; and Huang, Shih-Wei (2026) "Application of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 in Older Adults: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Future Direction," Rehabilitation Practice and Science: Vol. 2026: Iss. 1, Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6315/3005-3846.2280
Available at: https://rps.researchcommons.org/journal/vol2026/iss1/8