Barthel scale

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The Barthel scale or Barthel ADL index is a scale used to quantify recovery from stroke. It uses ten variables describing activities of daily living (ADL) and mobility. A higher number is associated with a greater likelihood of being able to live at home with a degree of independence following discharge from hospital. The scale was introduced in 1965,[1] and yielded a score of 0-20. It was modified by Granger et al in 1979, when it came to include 0-10 points for every variable,[2] and further refinements were introduced in 1989.[3] The scale is regarded as reliable, although its use in clinical trials in stroke medicine is inconsistent.[4] Apart from in stroke, it is also used in other studies of disability.[5]

The ten variables addressed in the Barthel scale are: presence or absence of fecal incontinence, presence or absence of urinary incontinence, help needed with grooming, help needed with toilet use, help needed with feeding, help needed with transfers (e.g. from chair to bed), help needed with walking, help needed with dressing, help needed with climbing stairs, and help needed with bathing.[1]

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  1. ^ a b Mahoney F. Barthel D (1965). "Functional evaluation: the Barthel Index". Md Med J 14: 61–65. PMID 14258950. 
  2. ^ Granger CV, Dewis LS, Peters NC, Sherwood CC, Barrett JE (Jan 1979). "Stroke rehabilitation: analysis of repeated Barthel index measures". Arch Phys Med Rehabil 60 (1): 14-7. PMID 420565. 
  3. ^ Shah S, Vanclay F, Cooper B (1989). "Improving the sensitivity of the Barthel Index for stroke rehabilitation". J Clin Epidemiol 42 (8): 703–9. doi:10.1016/0895-4356(89)90065-6. PMID 2760661. 
  4. ^ Sulter G, Steen C, De Keyser J (August 1999). "Use of the Barthel index and modified Rankin scale in acute stroke trials". Stroke 30 (8): 1538–41. PMID 10436097. 
  5. ^ Cook WL, Jassal SV (June 2008). "Functional dependencies among the elderly on hemodialysis". Kidney Int. 73 (11): 1289–95. doi:10.1038/ki.2008.62. PMID 18354381. 

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