title: Comparison of the responsiveness of the Care Dependency Scale for rehabilitation and the Barthel Index.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare the responsiveness of the Care Dependency Scale for Rehabilitation (CDS-R) and the Barthel Index in rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A longitudinal study was performed over six months (2007-8) where patients were assessed using the scales after admission and before discharge.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of 1,542 patients was recruited in an Austrian rehabilitation centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CDS-R and the Barthel Index.
  
  
  METHODS
  Responsiveness was determined by descriptive analysis, significance tests and calculation of effect sizes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the 1,542 patients, the calculation according to Kazis yielded values of 0.10 for both instruments. For the group of patients who showed clinically relevant changes, values of 0.50 were obtained for the CDS-R and 1.06 for the Barthel Index. For the group 1,542 patients, the calculation according to Liang yielded values of 0.42 for the CDS-R and 0.34 for the Barthel Index. For the group of patients who showed clinically relevant changes, values of 1.47 were obtained for the CDS-R and 1.92 for the Barthel Index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Barthel Index seems to be slightly more responsive than the CDS-R, and both instruments seem to be appropriate for the assessment of patients' changes over time. Nevertheless, the exact level of responsiveness could not be clearly identified for both instruments. To confirm the level of responsiveness, further research is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nursing Science, Medical University of Graz, Austria. juliane.eichhorn-kissel@medunigraz.at
authors.forename: Juliane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eichhorn-Kissel
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dassen
authors.forename: Christa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lohrmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012046:Rehabilitation; D055815:Young Adult