Minimal clinically important difference for functional independence measure gain in post-acute rehabilitation ward patients with motor disorders

Abstract

[Purpose] To determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for motor-FIM gain in post-acute rehabilitation ward patients with motor disorders. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 102 post-acute rehabilitation ward patients were studied. Motor-FIM gain was calculated by deducing the admission score from that at 30 days after it. As an external index for FIM-based evaluation, the Global Rating of Change (GRC) Scale, in which patients report the levels of changes in their conditions, was used. Patients with GRC scores from –1 to 1 were classified as the Small Change Group (based on changes in their ADL), and their mean score was adopted as the MCID. [Results] The mean motor-FIM gain in the Small Change Group was 14.6. [Conclusion] Post-acute rehabilitation ward patients with motor disorders may begin to realize improvements in their ADL when they gain a motor-FIM score of 14.6.