Barthel scale, what is it for?

Barthel's scale It is an instrument used to measure the ability of a person when carrying out ten activities of everyday life.

The activities measured are those that are considered basic and the degree of score used on this scale is obtained from a quantitative estimate, in terms of degree of independence of the person.

Barthel's scale was proposed in 1955, however, today there are different versions of the same.

Its level of application is simple and also has a high degree of reliability and validity, allowing to identify changes; Its interpretation is also easy, just like application in different cultural scenarios.

Barthel's scale

The Barthel scale emerged in 1955 when it began to be applied in chronic disease hospitals in Maryland And, since then, this simple index has been used to register the ability of patients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorder.

It applies to determine what capacity the patient has to take care of himself, as well as works to examine the improvement.

Barthel's scale It is also known as the "Maryland disability index" and is defined as a measure that values ​​the level of independence of a patient in relation to their ability to perform certain activities of daily life.

On this scale, scores are assigned, according to the ability of the subject examined to execute the daily tasks.

As Ci-Ruzafa and Damián-Moreno point out, in their study on the assessment of physical disability, the first references that exist in terms of the use of the Barthel scale in the scientific literature dating since 1958 and 1964, however, in The year 1965 is when the first publication appears with the criteria described in detail to assign the scores.

Currently, the index continues to be widely used, both in its original form and in its subsequent versions and many consider it as the most appropriate scale to assess the activities of daily life.

Barthel's index or scale was one of the first attempts that arose to quantify disabilities, in the area of ​​physical rehabilitation.

It was thanks to this instrument that a scientific basis could be provided to the results that rehabilitation professionals obtained in improvement programs to measure patient dependence levels.

Regarding the assessment assigned to each activity, this is based on the amount of physical aid that the patient requires to perform the activity, as well as the time it needs.

If the patient requires help or supervision, then the full score is not awarded. For example, if the patient cannot safely perform a physical activity if someone is not present, then he is assigned less weighting.

Similarly, specialists may require analyzing the conditions of the environment in which the patient develops when applying the scale, because these can also affect the score.

For example, if the patient requires railings on both sides, wide doors for movement with wheel chairs, bars or grabs in the bathroom, among others.

In order for the Barthel scale to be more reliability, it must be accompanied by an explanation about the special environments required by the patient.

Activities to evaluate and scores

The barthel index of each patient is evaluated at the beginning of the treatment, as well as during the evolution of the world and at the time of discharge, where there could be a great advance.

Thus, it is possible to identify with more precision what the functional status of the subject is and how it has been progressing towards independence.

If after a long period of time there is no improvement, according to the Barthel scale, then this indicates that the potential for rehabilitation is poor.

The daily activities that are evaluated on the original Barthel scale, are ten:

1. Eat;
2. Move between the chair and the bed;
3. Personal cleanliness;
4. Use of the toilet;
5. Take a shower;
6. Move, either on smooth or wheelchair;
7. Up/ down stairs;
8. Dress/ undress;
9. Stool control;
10. Urine control.

Each of these activities is valued in a different way, being able to assign a score of 0, 5, 10 or up to 15 points.

The range varies between 0, what does it mean 'completely dependent', up to 100, which translates as 'completely independent'.

YESAVAGE DEPRESSION SCALE

Bibliography

• Bejines-Soto, m., Velasco-Rodríguez, r., García-Ortiz, l., Barajas-Martínez, a., Aguilar-Núñez, l. M., & Rodríguez, M. L. (2015). VALUATION OF CAPACITY FU
• Bernabeu-Wittel, m., Díez-Manglia, J., Nieto-Martín, d., Ramírez-Duque, n., Ollero-Baturone, m., Abella-Vázquez, l.,… & Villegas-Bruguera, and. (2019). Simplification of the Barthel scale for fragility and severe dependence on pluripatological patients. Spanish Clinical Magazine, 219(8), 433-439.
• Cid-Ruzafa, J., & Damián-Moreno, J. (1997). Valuation of physical disability: Barthel's index. Spanish magazine of Public Health, 71, 127-137.
• Solís, c. L. B., Arrioja, s. G., & Manzano, to. EITHER. (2005). Barthel Index (IB): An essential instrument for functional evaluation and rehabilitation. Plasticity and neurological restoration, 4(1-2), 81-5.