Past and present issues in Rasch analysis: The Functional Independence Measure (FIMâ„¢) revisited

Abstract

The current study has shown that the FIMTM Motor Scale, as applied to a stroke rehabilitation sample, satisfies Rasch model expectations and the unidimensionality assumptions, having accommodated local dependency issues, and by using the partial credit parameterization with re-scored categories. Other analytical pathways gave less ideal solutions, and are consistent with the wide range of solutions found for the scale over the years. Consequently, the development of the Rasch approach in health outcomes can be traced in the history of analysis of the FIMTM, and that development continues to this day.