Determination of the Minimal Clinically Important Difference in the FIM Instrument in Patients With Stroke
By Beninato, Marianne, DPT, PhD; Gill-Body, Kathleen M., DPT, MS; Salles, Sara, DO; Stark, Paul C., ScD; Black-Schaffer, Randie M., MD; Stein, Joel, MD; Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 87, No. 1, pp. 32-39Publication Date: January 2006
Study conducted to define the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) among clients who have had a stroke. The MCID is the smallest difference in score that would lead to a change in a client’s plan of care. The FIM is an 18-item functional performance measure that measures activities of daily living. Each item is rated on a seven-point scale, as one equals “total dependence,” while seven equals “independence.” The various aspects assessed include eating, grooming, and dressing. A total of 113 people receiving rehabilitation services following a stroke participated in the study, and were administered the FIM. The scores as associated with MCID were calculated via statistical analyses. The researchers found that the accuracy of the MCID was greater when subjects were categorized based on admission FIM scores than when considering the sample as a whole. Larger FIM change scores were also related to MCID among participants with lower FIM scores upon admission. Implications for future research are discussed.
Assistive Products Discussed: FIM SYSTEM
Published by: W.B. Saunders Company, a division of Elsevier Health Sciences (Website:http://us.elsevierhealth.com)
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Web Site: http://www.aapmr.org/ )
American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (Web Site: http://www.acrm.org )
