[Measurement of participation in outpatient neurorehabilitation--a pilot study]

To date there is a lack of tools to measure participation and the already existing measures are not properly used as yet. In 2005 the IMET (Index zur Messung von Einschränkungen der Teilhabe) was developed and is able to measure the ICF associated construct participation as a generic instrument in chronic diseases. IMET and numerous instruments were applied in our own study and results were compared with results of an unpublished study. In addition, to test IMET for its use in neurorehabilitation the effects of outpatient neurorehabilitation were investigated and compared with results obtained in an inpatient setting.

In a multicentric observational study, consecutively treated patients of 6 outpatient neurorehabilitation centres were asked to fill in a questionnaire at three time points (admission and discharge in the course of rehabilitation and at 4 months follow-up). Additionally, clinical experts were asked to rate the patients' status at admission and discharge. The data were compared with results of a sample of inpatients of an unpublished study.

The IMET seems to be the to date best instrument to measure participation in a global, ICF-defined and economic way. Especially participation, general health status and capacity in leisure time and daily routine show the biggest improvements. In comparison, the outpatients show improvements in their participation status. Participation-oriented outpatient neurorehabilitation seems to have a considerable impact on participation status in neurological patients through the course of rehabilitation.