Establishing score equivalence of the Functional Independence Measure motor scale and the Barthel Index, utilising the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and Rasch measurement theory
Birgit Prodinger, Rory J. O’Connor, Gerold Stucki, Alan Tennant
ICF Unit, Swiss Paraplegic Research (SPF), Guido A. Zäch Institute, CH-6207 Nottwil, Switzerland. E-mail: birgit.prodinger@paraplegie.ch
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2225
Lay Abstract
Improving functioning, which includes aspects of self-care and mobility, is the main aim of rehabilitation. To be able to measure changes in functioning, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM™) motor scale and the Barthel Index are the most commonly used tools in rehabilitation. However, if one clinic uses the FIMTM and another clinic the Barthel Index, the performance of the clinics with regards to improving functioning cannot be directly compared. Thus, we developed in this study a transformation table that allows exchanging scores between the Functional Independence Measure (FIM™) motor scale and the Barthel Index for people undergoing rehabilitation due to stroke, spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis.
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