QUANTIFICATION OF DISABILITY AFTER STROKE

Data are presented on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), an 18 -item scale designed to assess 7 levels of disability. It is divided i nto 14 physical and 5 social and cognitive items. The FIM has been eva luated in several populations in different countries. It may be used t o assess changes in functional independence of stroke patients undergo ing programmes of rehabilitation in hospital. Although it is subject t o considerable individual variation, in statistical terms the FIM is v aluable in predicting the probability of discharge into the community and the length of hospital stay. The FIM represents a significant adva nce over the Barthel Index, from which it is derived, having a higher sensitivity and better scalability.