Article

OBJECTIVE: To validate the dimensionality, hierarchical properties, and
reliability of the Frenchay Activities Index. DESIGN: Self-report survey of
patients with stroke. PATIENTS: A total of 127 patients provided 254 observations
before and after treatments. METHODS: Multidimensional Rasch model was conducted.
RESULTS: The 2-factor model showed the significantly smallest deviance and fitted
the data best among 6 possible models. The 2-factor structure was stable before
and after treatments, after the rating scale was revised from 4 points to 3
points. Differential item functioning relevant to the time since stroke was
detected for 2 tasks. The item difficulty hierarchy of the 2 domains was
determined. The correlation between the 2 domains was 0.58. The scale
demonstrated acceptable ceiling and floor effects. The overall person
(separation) reliability was 0.99. The reliabilities for the 2 domains were 0.81
and 0.73. CONCLUSION: The Frenchay Activities Index is a useful 2-dimensional
scale for evaluating daily functions in stroke patients. The item difficulty
hierarchy and significant differential item functioning related to the time since
stroke might reflect the changes in the recovery course after stroke. The
Frenchay Activities Index could be improved by adding items to capture patients
with high and low levels of daily activities in domestic chores.

Langue : ANGLAIS