Critical Appraisal and Review of the Rankin Scale and Its Derivatives

Vol. 26, No. 1, 2006

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Editorial Review

Critical Appraisal and Review of the Rankin Scale and Its Derivatives
Peter Wayne New^{a, b}, Rachelle Buchbinder^{b, c}

^aRehabilitation and Aged Services Program, Kingston Center, Southern Health, Melbourne,
^bDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, and
^cMonash Department of Clinical Epidemiology at Cabrini Hospital, Malvern, Australia

Address of Corresponding Author

Neuroepidemiology 2006;26:4-15 (DOI: 10.1159/000089536)

Key Words

Stroke
Clinimetric
Outcome assessment

Abstract

Background and Purpose:Efforts to reduce stroke burden require accurate assessment of outcomes in order to compare treatments. The Rankin Scale and its derivatives, the Modified Rankin Scale and the Oxford Handicap Scale, taken together, are among the most common outcome measures that have been used in stroke research. The aim of this study was to perform a critical appraisal of the clinimetric properties of these scales. It was also planned to review the use of these scales in a selection of articles to illustrate concerns raised by the critical appraisal. Summary of Review: A literature search was performed using electronic databases to locate relevant articles about the reviewed scales. The scales were appraised using a structured format regarding the following properties: purpose, development, presentation, language, method of administration, content validity, face validity, feasibility, construct validity, reliability, responsiveness, and generalizability. There are concerns in each of the appraised areas regarding the clinimetric properties of these scales. Conclusion: Further work is needed to improve the clinimetric properties of the reviewed scales to ensure that they are more useful tools in determining the outcome of stroke. Alternatively, a newer global outcome scale with improved clinimetric properties may be a better option for future stroke research.

Author Contacts

Dr. Peter Wayne New
Rehabilitation and Aged Services Program
Kingston Center, Warrigal Rd.
Cheltenham, Vic. 3192 (Australia)
Tel. +61 3 9265 1000, Fax +61 3 9265 1430, E-Mail Peter.New@southernhealth.org.au

Article Information

Published online: November 3, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 12
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 7, Number of References : 65

Medline Abstract (ID 16272826)

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