A recommendation of the Austrian Society of Neurorehabilitation (OeGNR)

Measuring and assessing with tests and scales is standard practice in neurorehabilitation as it helps assessing severity, prognosis and outcome of neurological impairments. There is a plethora of scales and tests in the diverse fields of neurological rehabilitation, especially for motoricity, neuropsychological symptoms, activities of daily living and, increasingly, also quality of life.

The complexity in the field of measuring is partly due to the fact that attained scores are not self-explanatory in terms of severity of impairment, however in each case detailed knowledge is necessary about which functions and abilities are assessed. The OeGNR recommends a selection of tests and scales so as to take a first step towards a common language between the Austrian institutions of neurorehabilitation in order to mutually understand reports about the institutions' data. At the same time measures of quality assurance and quality development can only be possible if comparable data is being used.

Selection of recommended tests and scales

Some years ago a number of measures were tried and tested and their practical value was discussed in detail. Afterwards the tests and scales mentioned were tried and tested in clinical use and advantages and disadvantages were observed. The pre-selection already included only instruments that were as optimal as possible in terms of test criteria.

The current selection is a suggestion for basic documentation which implies that these tests and scores should be used with each patient at least twice, at the beginning of neurorehabilitation and at the end. Therefore, one selection criterion was economy of time. All eight tests and scales can be conducted with a patient within approximately 30 minutes.

List of recommended tests and scores (incl. bibliography)

1 10-m timed walk test/2-minute walk distance test (Collen et al, 1990, International Disability Studies 12, 6-9)

2 Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) (Holden et al, 1984, Physical Therapy, 64, 35-40)

3 Nine-hole-peg Test (Mathiowetz et al, 1985, Occupational Therapy Journal of Research 39, 386-91)

4 Short orientation memory and concentration Test (SOMCT) (Katzman et al, 1983, American Journal of Psychiatry 140, 734-9)

5 Goodglass und Kaplan Communication Score (Poeck, Springer Verlag, 1994)

6 Barthel ADL Index (Mahoney et al, 1965, Maryland State Medical Journal, February 61-65)

7 Rankin Scale (Rankin, 1957, Scottish Medical Journal 2, 200-15)

8 Visual Analog Scale for pain (Downie et al 1978, Ann. Rheum. Dis. 37 378-81) for patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Expanded Disability Score Status (EDSS) (Kutzke 1983, Neurology, 33, 1444-1452).

Original article translated by A. Tautscher-Basnett, Gailtal-Klinik.

Please forward your suggestions/corrections/comments to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vorkommen von Zitaten (Basis Medline 1990-99)