Barthel Index
A standardized ordinal scale measuring functional independence in ten basic activities of daily living, widely used in stroke and rehabilitation outcome assessment.
Full Definition
The Barthel Index (BI) assigns scores from 0 to 100 across ten domains—including feeding, bathing, grooming, dressing, bowel control, bladder control, toilet use, transfers, mobility, and stair climbing—with higher scores indicating greater independence. It is one of the most widely validated outcome measures in physical medicine and rehabilitation and is commonly referenced in stroke rehabilitation research, inpatient documentation, and insurance reports. Editors must distinguish the Barthel Index from the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), which has 18 items and includes cognitive subscales. The name is always capitalised as a proper noun ('Barthel Index'), and the abbreviation BI should be expanded on first use.
Usage
Usage note: Capitalise as a proper noun. Always specify whether the original or modified version is used. Do not use interchangeably with FIM.
In Context
- "On admission, the patient scored 35/100 on the Barthel Index, reflecting moderate dependence in personal care and mobility." — Stroke rehabilitation outcome report
- "Editors should capitalise Barthel Index as a proper noun and not substitute it for the FIM, which measures a broader functional domain." — Style note for rehabilitation journals