Evaluation of a German version of the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) in acute and chronic stroke patients

The English Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) has been proposed as a simple, v alid and reliable measure in stroke rehabilitation. A German version was es tablished and validated in two centres. In centre A 46 acute (median: 3.0 d ays after onset) and in centre B 151 chronic (median: 88.0 days after onset ) stroke patients participated. Interrater reliability of the German RMI wa s tested in 12 subjects in the acute stage of stroke and was found to be st atistically significant (r = 0.98, P < 0.0001). In centre A, a statisticall y significant correlation was found between the German RMI and the 10-m wal k time at baseline (r = 0.73, P < 0.0001) and after three weeks (r = 0.92, P < 0.0001). In centre B, the German RMI correlated significantly with the motor part of the Functional Independence Measure (motor-FIM) on admission (r = 0.78, P < 0.0001) and after three weeks (r = 0.79, P < 0.0001), respec tively. The change of the RMI correlated significantly with the change in 1 0-m walk time in acute patients (r = 0.87, P < 0.0001) and with the change in motor-FIM in chronic patients (r = 0.54, P < 0.0001). A moderate ceiling -effect was detected in the chronic study population. The German RMI appear s to be a reliable, valid and responsive measure for mobility disability in acute and chronic stroke patients.