Cross-validation of the Barthel Index among school-age children with Cerebral palsy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-validity of Barthel Index (BI) among school-age children with cerebral palsy. The subjects were 258 in special school for physical impairments. The score judging of BI was requested from mothers. In statistics analysis, we constructed one-factor model on the basis of Wade's report, and examined goodness-of-fit to the data using confirmatory factor analysis. As a result, one-factor model of BI fulfilled the statistical permissible level, and had stable factor structure. In addition, a model MMIC was adopted, and relationship between ADL (measured by BI) and sex or age was investigated. Although the sex did not have the grade and relation of ADL, age was related to the grade of ADL. These findings suggested that BI is useful measure in the school-age children with cerebral palsy.