The reliability and validity of a self-report version of the FIM instrument in persons with neuromuscular disease and chronic pain.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the reliability and validity of a self-report version of the FIM instrument (FIM-SR).


METHODS
Survey study.


METHODS
Rehabilitation research program.


METHODS
Adults with neuromuscular disorders (NMD) and chronic pain (N=141).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The FIM-SR and Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).


RESULTS
The internal consistency coefficients of the FIM-SR scales were all adequate to excellent (Cronbach alpha range, .73-.98; median, .96). Correlations between the FIM-SR scales and SF-36 scales supported the concurrent validity of the former. Also, the FIM-SR scales associated with motor function discriminated between those subjects who reported being ambulatory and those who reported requiring use of a wheelchair or other assistive device for getting around. Finally, FIM-SR scales discriminated between different types of NMDs, with patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis showing significantly lower scores on the FIM-SR self-care, motor, and total scores than all other NMD diagnostic groups, and showing significantly lower scores on the FIM-SR sphincter control, mobility, and locomotion scales than most of the other diagnostic groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The FIM-SR scales appear to be reliable and valid measures of independence in 6 specific (self-care, sphincter control, mobility, locomotion, communication, social cognition), and 3 global (motor, cognition, total) areas of functioning in persons with NMD.
Jensen
Mark P
MP
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. mjensen@u.washington.edu
Abresch
Richard T
RT
Carter
Gregory T
GT
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results