Effective measurement of the functional progress of stroke clients

There is a need for occupational therapists to establish a range of outcome measures that can measure change effectively. The aim of this study was to identify effective methods of measuring the functional performance of individuals who had experienced a stroke and had been discharged from a rehabilitation ward. Measures with recorded validity and reliability and in clinical use were selected. The measures were the Barthel Index (Shah version), Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living scale, Motricity Index (Upper and Lower Limb), Rivermead Mobility Index and Nine-Hole Peg Test. Assessments were carried out at the point of discharge from hospital and 6 months later. Responsiveness was analysed using effect size and relative efficiency statistics. The practicality (feasibility) was established by comparing completion rates. The Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living scale and the Rivermead Mobility Index were found to be more responsive than the Barthel Index and Lower Limb Motricity Index respectively and to be practical after discharge from hospital. The Nine-Hole Peg Test was found to be more responsive than the Upper Limb Motricity Index but less practical. The analysis suggested that some measures are more suitable than others for tracking change in function after discharge from hospital for a wide case mix of people who have experienced a stroke