Assessment Tools in Adult Rehab

Barthel Index (Purpose)

Measures basic ADL independence in adults, especially post-stroke

Barthel Index (Population)

Adults and older adults; commonly stroke and rehab populations

Barthel Index (What it assesses)

Feeding, bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, transfers, mobility, stairs

Barthel Index (Scoring)

0-100; higher score = more independence

Barthel Index (Why use it)

Quick snapshot of ADL function and discharge planning

Barthel Index (Type)

Criterion-referenced

AM-PAC (Purpose)

Measures basic mobility and daily activity in acute/post-acute care

AM-PAC (Population)

Adults in hospital, inpatient rehab, SNF

AM-PAC (What it assesses)

Bed mobility, transfers, walking, stairs, dressing, bathing, toileting

AM-PAC (Scoring)

0-24 per section; higher = more independence

AM-PAC (Why use it)

Helps determine discharge setting (home vs rehab vs SNF)

AM-PAC (Type)

Criterion-referenced

Sleep Related Impairment (Purpose)

Measures impact of sleep problems on daily function

Sleep Related Impairment (Population)

Adults with sleep issues affecting participation

Sleep Related Impairment (What it assesses)

Perceived sleep quality and daytime impact

Sleep Related Impairment (Scoring)

1-5 Likert scale; higher = worse impairment

Sleep Related Impairment (Why use it)

Quick self-report when sleep affects function

Sleep Related Impairment (Type)

Norm-referenced

Katz Index (Purpose)

Measures independence in basic ADLs

Katz Index (Population)

Older adults, especially community-dwelling

Katz Index (What it assesses)

Bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, feeding

Katz Index (Scoring)

0-6; higher = more independence

Katz Index (Why use it)

Fast ADL screen for older adults

Katz Index (Type)

Criterion-referenced

Lawton-Brody IADL (Purpose)

Measures higher-level functional independence

Lawton-Brody IADL (Population)

Older adults in community settings

Lawton-Brody IADL (What it assesses)

Shopping, cooking, meds, finances, transportation, housekeeping

Lawton-Brody IADL (Scoring)

0-8 (women), 0-5 (men); higher = more independent

Lawton-Brody IADL (Why use it)

Assesses ability to live independently in community

Lawton-Brody IADL (Type)

Criterion-referenced

PASS (Purpose)

Measures functional performance, safety, and independence

PASS (Population)

Adults with various diagnoses (neuro, physical)

PASS (What it assesses)

ADLs, IADLs, functional mobility

PASS (Scoring)

0-3; higher = more independence and safety

PASS (Why use it)

Detailed, performance-based OT assessment

PASS (Type)

Criterion-referenced

MVPT (Purpose)

Measures visual-perceptual abilities without motor involvement

MVPT (Population)

Adults and older adults (also used in children)

MVPT (What it assesses)

Visual memory, figure-ground, spatial relations, closure

MVPT (Scoring)

Higher score = better visual perception

MVPT (Why use it)

Identifies visual-perceptual deficits impacting function

MVPT (Type)

Norm-referenced

LOTCA (Purpose)

Measures basic cognitive abilities

LOTCA (Population)

Adults with stroke, TBI, dementia

LOTCA (What it assesses)

Orientation, perception, praxis, thinking operations

LOTCA (Scoring)

26-115; higher = better cognition

LOTCA (Why use it)

Guides treatment planning and tracks cognitive progress

LOTCA (Type)

Criterion-referenced

MMSE (Purpose)

Screens for global cognitive impairment

MMSE (Population)

Older adults; dementia screening

MMSE (What it assesses)

Orientation, memory, attention, language, visuospatial

MMSE (Scoring)

0-30; 25-30 normal, lower = impairment

MMSE (Why use it)

Quick, widely recognized cognitive screen

MMSE (Type)

Criterion-referenced

Short Blessed Test (Purpose)

Screens for early cognitive changes

Short Blessed Test (Population)

Older adults with suspected dementia

Short Blessed Test (What it assesses)

Orientation, memory, attention

Short Blessed Test (Scoring)

0-4 normal; higher = worse impairment

Short Blessed Test (Why use it)

Very quick screen for early cognitive decline

Short Blessed Test (Type)

Criterion-referenced

Trail Making Test (Purpose)

Measures attention and executive function

Trail Making Test (Population)

Adults with neuro conditions (TBI, stroke, dementia)

Trail Making Test (What it assesses)

Processing speed, attention, task switching

Trail Making Test (Scoring)

Time-based; longer time = worse performance

Trail Making Test (Why use it)

Detects executive dysfunction affecting IADLs

Trail Making Test (Type)

Norm-referenced

Box and Block Test (Purpose)

Measures gross manual dexterity

Box and Block Test (Population)

Adults with UE impairments (stroke, PD, arthritis)

Box and Block Test (What it assesses)

Ability to move blocks quickly with hand

Box and Block Test (Scoring)

# of blocks in 1 minute; higher = better

Box and Block Test (Why use it)

Quick measure of gross hand function

Box and Block Test (Type)

Norm-referenced

9-Hole Peg Test (Purpose)

Measures fine motor dexterity

9-Hole Peg Test (Population)

Adults with hand impairments

9-Hole Peg Test (What it assesses)

Finger dexterity and coordination

9-Hole Peg Test (Scoring)

Time-based; longer time = worse

9-Hole Peg Test (Why use it)

Quick fine motor assessment

9-Hole Peg Test (Type)

Norm-referenced

Jebsen Hand Function Test (Purpose)

Measures functional hand use

Jebsen Hand Function Test (Population)

Adults with UE conditions

Jebsen Hand Function Test (What it assesses)

Writing, feeding, lifting objects, page turning

Jebsen Hand Function Test (Scoring)

Time-based; lower time = better

Jebsen Hand Function Test (Why use it)

Assesses real-world hand tasks

Jebsen Hand Function Test (Type)

Mixed validity, commonly used

Purdue Pegboard (Purpose)

Measures fine dexterity and coordination

Purdue Pegboard (Population)

Adults with neurological or hand conditions

Purdue Pegboard (What it assesses)

Finger dexterity, bilateral coordination

Purdue Pegboard (Scoring)

# of pegs placed; higher = better

Purdue Pegboard (Why use it)

Assesses high-level dexterity and coordination

Purdue Pegboard (Type)

Norm-referenced

DASH (Purpose)

Measures upper extremity disability

DASH (Population)

Adults with UE conditions

DASH (What it assesses)

Difficulty with arm, shoulder, hand use

DASH (Scoring)

Higher score = worse function

DASH (Why use it)

Broad UE functional assessment

DASH (Type)

Norm-referenced

AQoL-8D (Purpose)

Measures quality of life

AQoL-8D (Population)

Adults with chronic conditions

AQoL-8D (What it assesses)

Physical, mental, and social QoL

AQoL-8D (Scoring)

Lower score = better QoL