Functional assessment is a standardized, holistic review of an adult’s daily activities, cognitive and motor function, sensory abilities, continence, bladder and bowel management, and specific psychological factors.

The contribution of the rehabilitation team members is crucial for a comprehensive functional evaluation. Nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dietitians, psychologists, and social workers participate in the process, each identifying functional impairments and their impact on the patient’s daily life through their respective assessments.

For the effective implementation of a functional assessment, the use of specialized scales and tests is essential. These may include, among others:

  • The Functional Independence Measure (FIM)

  • The Barthel Index

  • The Glasgow Outcome Scale

  • Body Mass Index (BMI)

  • The Modified Ashworth Scale

  • Pain assessment tools such as the Numerical and Visual Analogue Scales (VAS)

  • The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)

  • Gait analysis and joint range of motion (ROM)

  • Specific evaluations for vision, hearing, speech, and more.