functional impairment
Reduction in ability to perform daily activities, work, or social functions due to psychiatric symptoms.
Full Definition
Functional impairment refers to the degree to which psychiatric symptoms interfere with an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living, maintain employment, sustain relationships, or fulfill social roles. In clinical trials, functional impairment is typically measured using standardized scales such as the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), or World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS). Improvement in functional outcomes is increasingly recognized by regulators as a clinically meaningful endpoint, often serving as a key secondary measure alongside symptom reduction scales.
Usage
Usage note: Emphasize the distinction between symptom improvement and functional recovery.
In Context
- "Functional impairment was assessed using the Sheehan Disability Scale at each study visit." — Assessment methodology
- "Reduction in functional impairment correlated with improvement in depressive symptoms." — Correlation analysis