Validity and Reliability Evidence of the Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) for individuals with Neurological Disorders in Greece

Abstract

Background: The Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) is a valid and reliable instrument of examining the patients’ functional independence (FI) in daily activities. The FIM reliability and validity, to date has not been established by Greek clinicians. The aim of the study therefore was to provide reliability and validity evidence of the FIM in a sample of Greek patients with neurological disorders (ND). Methods: The sample was consisted from inpatients with stroke (N=50) and traumatic brain injury (N=24), who had been admitted to Greek hospitals and rehabilitation centers and healthy individuals (N=33) with corresponding demographic characteristics. Inpatients were evaluated by the lead researcher. Thirty inpatients were evaluated by two researchers to determine the inter-rater reliability. The FIM structural validity was determined by the differences between (i) inpatients and healthy individuals and (ii) inpatients of varying severity. The synchronic validity was determined with the WHODAS 2.0, the Sit-to-Stand-Test, the Time-Up-and-Go-Test and the 10Meter- Walking-Test. The FIM sensitivity of change in the patients’ clinical condition was evaluated through the differences between admission and discharge. Results: The results revealed sufficient evidence of validity (synchronic & structural), reliability (inter-rater & intra-rater) and sensitivity (admission- discharge) of the FIM in Greece. Conclusion: The FIM may be used in the future for ND inpatients assessment in Greece.