Psychometric evaluation of the short forms of barthel index in the elderly residing in nursing home

The continuous assessment of functional independence level in daily activities of elderly, residing in nursing homes is necessary. It seems that one of the important characteristics of the proper tools is their shortness. This study was designed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the 3-item, 4-item and 5- item versions of Barthel index in the elderly, residing in anursing home.

After translating the tools, sampling was performed by using census method in Kashan Golabchi nursing home in 2006 (n=100). The questionnaires were completed through interview and observation. Inter-rater agreement was assessed. The tools reliability was determined via internal consistency method. Their validity was determined via Concurrent validity and Known-groups approach. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC), Kappa, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and Kruskal-wallis test.

In all of the assessed tools, the inter-rater reliability for every item was good (Kappa>0.61). In relation to the total score, all of the tools Intra-class correlation coefficients were more than 0.9. The questionnaires reliability coefficients (internal consistency) were calculated 0.83-0.93. Item-total correlation confirmed their reliability too. Their concurrent validity with Persian Original Barthel index were confirmed (r=0.98, p<0.0001). The known-groups approach also revealed that these tools are valid (p<0.0001).

The Persian versions of short 3, 4 and 5- item Barthel index for evaluation of disability in elderly, residing in Golabchi nursing home are valid and reliable.