It is important that there be easily replicated measures for demonstrating the efficiency and effectiveness of services provided, as well as for transmitting information on patient functional status when transferring service responsibilities from one agency of facility to another.
The authors used the PULSES profile and the Barthel index to measure severity of disability and to monitor rehabilitation progress over a span of time, for 59 brain dysfunction patients ranging from 18 to 85 years old (mean age: 58.7 yrs). The PULSES and Barthel scores were measured by medical records on Admission, Discharge, and by observation and interview on follow up. The results were as follows: 1. The two scoring modilities appear valid, reliable, and sensitive for describing functional abilities and change over a period of time. 2. The cutting points of PULSES score totals or Barthel score totals distinguished the degree of severity of disability. 3. The PULSES and Barthel scores were highly correlated on each point of Admission (T1), Discharge (T2), Followup (T3), T2-1, T3-T1, T3-T2.
