ABSTRACT

Objective : To develop the Korean Activities of Daily Living (ADL) evaluation tools for persons with stroke applying the Rasch model based on item response theory. Methods : The total subjects for this study were 308 stroke inpatients at 18 different rehabilitation facilities in Korea. Questionnaires containing ADL evaluation items selected in advance with the Q-sorting method from the preexisting ADL related literatures were distributed to the subjects by mail or visit. Rasch analy- sis was then done by means of the Winsteps program to determine the validity and reliability of the Korean ADL evaluation tools for persons with stroke.Results : Three items were found to be misfits and the order of item difficulty of the remaining 20 items was arranged. Stroke inpatients' ADL ability is indicated by -6.77~6.73 logit, and the transformation formula is 'score= (logit score +6.77) / (6.77+6.73)×100.'' In the order of difficulty of evaluation items, the most difficult item was 'going up and down stairs' one of functional mobility domain. And the easiest item was 'scooping food to mouth' one of feeding domain.Conclusion : The Korean ADL evaluation tools for persons with stroke inpatient have been proven reliable and valid. Therefore they are expected to he used as effective tools for treatment planning and intervention for persons with stroke.