Barthel index
The Barthel index is an ordinal scale that assesses functional independence in the areas of personal care and mobility in patients with chronic, debilitating diseases, particularly in rehabilitation. The basic 10-item version and an enlarged 15-item version are both available. The 10-item version is the most commonly used; it assesses independence in feeding, grooming, transferring from wheelchair to bed and back, bathing, walking on a level surface, going up and down stairs, dressing, and bowel and urine continence.
