Barthel Index for Stroke Trials
Stroke, 03/08/2011
Exclusive author commentary
Quinn TJ et al. – Substantial literature describing BI clinimetrics in stroke is available; however, questions remain regarding certain properties. The "BI" label is used for a number of instruments and the authors urge greater consistency in methods, content, and scoring.
Terence J. Quinn (03/07/2011) comments:
The Barthel Index of activities of daily living is a prevalent outcome measure in rehabilitation and stroke trials and is popular in clinical practice. Properties of Barthel have been described in numerous studies, but assessmnet of this literature is complicated by the heterogeneity of Barthel assessment (direct interview, proxy interview, observed assessment, telephone and postal assessment are all described) and heterogeneity in the scale itself (at least four differing scales are called "Barthel Index"). Quinn and co-authors attempt to bring some clarity to the field. They describe the literature to date on clinimetrics of Barthel and suggesting a method of standardisation for Barthel assessments.
