From the Guidelines

Cultural factors significantly impact functional ability, influencing physical and cognitive outcomes.

Cultural factors can affect goals and expectations in rehabilitation, leading to varying levels of motivation and engagement in the rehabilitation process 1.
Sociocultural aspects influence how patients report and interpret their experiences, as well as how they interact with the healthcare system 1.
The interactions between an individual's intrinsic capacity and their socioeconomic and physical environments play a crucial role in maintaining functional ability throughout their life course 1.

Cultural influences must be considered when assessing and interpreting cognitive and physical function, as they can impact performance and outcomes 1.
Cultural humility is essential for professionals conducting evaluations, particularly when working with diverse populations or individuals with language barriers or substantial cognitive delays 1.
Modified testing conditions may be necessary to accommodate patients with sensory or motor impairments, or those who cannot comply with standardized testing procedures 1.

From the Research

Cultural factors play a significant role in determining functional ability, including physical and cognitive abilities 2, 3, 4.
Sociocultural and structural factors, such as gender, region, and socioeconomic status, can influence functional ability, particularly in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) 2.
Personal factors, such as depression, anxiety, and pain intensity, as well as contextual factors, like parenting characteristics, can affect functional ability in children and adolescents with chronic pain 5.

Cultural factors, including collectivism, religiosity, and cultural attitudes towards physical activity, can influence physical activity levels among adults 3.
Lack of culturally appropriate exercise facilities, cultural expectations of body image, and physical appearance can also act as barriers to physical activity 3.
Understanding physical activity from a cultural-contextual lens can help improve health outcomes in different communities 4.

Physical and cognitive functioning can explain some of the negative associations between chronic disease and employment 6.
Functional abilities, particularly physical functioning, are positively associated with employment, especially among those without college degrees 6.
Accommodating functional limitations and providing broader accommodations, such as paid sick leave and improved working conditions, may be necessary to promote employment among individuals with chronic health conditions 6.