Reliability of Modified Barthel Index (Thai Version) Assessment in Stroke Patients
PROBLEM/BACKGROUND: Translated measurement scale for functional and clinical progression assessments in stroke patients should be assessed the reliability.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability of Modified Barthel Index (Thai Version).
RESEARCH DESIGN: A cross-sectional analytic study.
MATERIALS and METHOD: The Modified Barthel Index (MBI) was translated into Thai and the interrater reliability was assessed by 2 physiatrists, 2 physical therapists and 2 occupational therapists, under supervision of English specialist. The MBI (Thai Version) was applied in the assessment of 30 stroke patients referred for comprehensive rehabilitation in Buddhachinaraj Phitsanulok Hospital during January-March 2007 by 2 physical therapists and 2 occupational therapists in the same visit. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was analyzed interrater reliability and Cohen’s kappa coefficient measured the agreement expected by chance and the magnitude of disagreement among raters.
RESULTS: The MBI (Thai Version) had high interrater reliability (ICC=0.96) and substantial interrater agreement between therapists for bowel and bladder control (k= 0.90 and 0.87, 95% CI=0.61-.80). The most of other subscales had fair agreement (k= 0.46-0.58, 95% CI=0.21-0.40).
CONCLUSION: The MBI (Thai Version) has fair interrater agreement between the therapists and could be used to assess stroke patients with disability.
SETTING: Buddhachinaraj Phitsanulok Hospital.