Comparison of the responsiveness of the FIM and the interRAI post acute care assessment instrument in rehabilitation of older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the responsiveness of 2 major systems developed for rehabilitation settings--the FIM and the interRAI Post Acute Care (PAC) assessment--in older patients.


METHODS
Trained raters assessed patients with both tools at admission and discharge.


METHODS
Musculoskeletal (MSK) and geriatric rehabilitation units (GRUs) in 2 rehabilitation hospitals.


METHODS
Older adults receiving rehabilitation (N=208; mean age +/- SD, 78.5+/-9.3; 67% women).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Responsiveness was evaluated using effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM).


RESULTS
ES and SRM were somewhat higher for the FIM motor (GRU ES=1.68, SRM=1.31; MSK ES=2.12, SRM=2.25) than the PAC (GRU ES=1.64, SRM=1.29; MSK ES=1.57, SRM=1.89) in both patient groups. Both tools were more responsive in MSKs than GRUs. This may reflect the greater frailty and clinical complexity of GRU patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Both the FIM motor and the PAC were able to detect clinically relevant improvement in functional ability in older rehabilitation inpatients.
Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Christine
C
Glenny
Paul
P
Stolee
Janice
J
Husted
Mary
M
Thompson
Katherine
K
Berg
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers