The Validity and Reliability of Korean Version of Bathel ADL Index

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The functional status of elderly has been measured by many different methods including Karz ADL index, Bathel ADL index and physical self- maintenance scale. Among them, Bathel ADL index has been widely used in many countries because of easiness to scoring and administration. Therefore, we translated the Bathel ADL index and tested the translation validity and psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of Korean version of Bathel ADL index. METHODS: The Bathel ADL index was translated by multidisciplinary committee members. The quality of translation was rated by committee members using three criteria (clarity, use of common language, conceptual equivalence). Reliability was tested by internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), two weeks test-retest reliability, and intraobserver agreement. Clinical validity and construct validity comparison with brain disability grade were tested for validity testing. RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha was 0.97. Two weeks test-retest correlations coefficient was 0.95 (P=0.00). Interrator agreements were high in all 10 items (kappa=0.82~1.0). Normal control group had lower scores than the patient group (P=0.000). Correlation coefficients between the Korean version of Bathel ADL index score and brain- disability grade was -0.58 (P=0.000). CONCLUSION: The Korean version of Bathel ADL index is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring functional status of the elderly.