Rivermead Mobility Index assesses

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The Rivermead Mobility Index assesses functional mobility in gait, balance and transfers after stroke Intended Population Those with a diagnosis of Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Acquired Brain Injury, Lower Limb Amputees Method of Use Description: The Rivermead Mobility Index is appropriate for a range of disabilities that...

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বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

The Rivermead Mobility Index assesses functional mobility in gait, balance and transfers after stroke Intended Population Those with a diagnosis of Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Acquired Brain Injury, Lower Limb Amputees Method of Use Description: The Rivermead Mobility Index is appropriate for a range of disabilities that include anything from being bedridden to being able to run 15 items: 14-self-reported items 1 direct observation item Items progress...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Intended Population in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Method of Use in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Evidence in simple medical language.
Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.
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Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

  • Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
  • New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
  • Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.
1

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

2

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

3

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

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Definition

The Rivermead Mobility Index assesses functional mobility in gait, balance and transfers after stroke

Intended Population

Those with a diagnosis of Stroke, Spinal Cord Injury, Acquired Brain Injury, Lower Limb Amputees

Method of Use

Description:

  • The Rivermead Mobility Index is appropriate for a range of disabilities that include anything from being bedridden to being able to run

15 items:

  • 14-self-reported items
  • 1 direct observation item
  • Items progress in difficulty
  • Items are coded as either 0 or 1, depending on whether the patient can complete the task according to specific instructions
  • Items receive a score of 0 for a “No” response and 1 for a “Yes” response
  • Total scores are determined by summing the points for all items
  • A maximum of 15 points is possible; higher scores indicate better mobility performance
  • A score of “0” indicates an inability to perform any of the activities on the measure

Evidence

Reliability

Test-retest Reliability:

Chronic Stroke:

(Chen et al, 2007; Green, Foster & Young, 2001; n = 22; 1 year post-stroke, assessed twice, with one week between assessments) [1]

  • Excellent overall test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.96)
  • Excellent test-retest reliability for the following subcategories:

Kappa for turning in bed = 1.0
Kappa for walking inside without aid = 0.89
Kappa for walking outside on uneven ground = 0.83
Kappa for bathing = 0.81
Kappa for picking objects off the floor = 0.79

  • Adequate test-retest reliability for the following subcategories:

Kappa for stairs = 0.68
Kappa for lying to sitting = 0.64
Kappa for sitting balance = 0.64
Kappa for transfers = 0.64
Kappa for walking up and down 4 steps = 0.67

Lower Limb Amputees:

(Ryall et al, 2003; n = 62; mean age = 56.8 (18.8) years; mean time post amputation: 4.9 (14.7) years) [2]

  • Excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.99)

Interrater/Intrarater Reliability:

Acute Stroke: (Hsueh et al, 2003; n = 57; mean age of 64.2 (11.5) years; assessed at 14, 30, 90, and 180 days post stroke; Taiwanese sample) [3]

  • Excellent interrater reliability for total score (ICC = 0.92)
  • Poor to excellent interrater reliability for individual subcategories (Weighted Kappa = 0.37 – 0.94)

Validity

Criterion Validity:

Acute Stroke:

(Hsieh et al, 2000; n = 38 inpatients; Sommerfeld & vo Arbin, 2001; n = 115 inpatients aged > 65; Hsueh et al, 2003) [4]

  • Excellent predictive validity with Barthel Index 24 days post stroke (r = 0.77)
  • RMI scores of > 4 best predictor of early discharge home

Lower Limb Amputees:

(Ryall et al, 2003) [5]

  • Adequate concurrent validity with TWT (r = -0.58)
  • Only one value is outside the 95% limits of agreement

Construct Validity: 

Acute Stroke(Hsueh et al, 2003) [6]

  • Excellent correlation with BI at 14 days post stroke (r = 0.72)
  • Excellent correlation with BI at 30 days post stroke (r = 0.88)
  • Excellent correlation with BI at 90 days post stroke (r = 0.86)
  • Excellent correlation with BI at 180 days post stroke (r = 0.88)

Lower Limb Amputees: (Franchignoni et al, 2003a, n = 140; mean age = 57 (18) years) [7]

· Excellent correlation with motFIM at beginning of prosthetic training (r = 0.83)
· Excellent correlation with motFIM at end of prosthetic training (r = 0.69)
· Excellent correlation of the change scores for the RMI with changes in motFIM (r = 0.75)
· Excellent correlation with TWT (timed walking test) at end of prosthetic training (r = -0.70)

Content Validity:

Acute Stroke(Hsieh et al, 2000) [8]

  • Critical values for two indices, coefficient of reproducibility (> 0.9) and coefficient of scalability (> 0.7), were all exceeded

Lower limb amputees: (Franchignoni et al, 2003a) [9]

  • Coefficient of reproducibility was exceeded and ranged from 0.71-1.0
  • Coefficient of scalability was not exceeded and ranged from 0.38-0.62

Lower limb amputees: (Ryall et al, 2003) [10]

  • Coefficient of reproducibility was exceeded and ranged from 0.91-0.94

Responsiveness

Acute Stroke: (Hsueh et al, 2003) [11]

Values reported as SRM (Standardized Response Mean)

RMI = Rivermead Mobility Index
MRMI = Modified Rivermead Mobility Index
STREAM = Mobility Subscale of the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement
BI = Barthel Index

Doctor visit helper

Prepare before seeing a doctor

A simple rural-patient checklist to help you explain symptoms clearly, ask better questions, and avoid unsafe self-treatment.

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
  • Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
  • Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
  • How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
  • When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

  • Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
  • Basic physical examination by a clinician
  • CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

  • Avoid heavy lifting, sudden bending, and prolonged bed rest.
  • Use comfortable posture and gentle movement as tolerated.
  • Discuss physiotherapy, X-ray, or MRI only when clinically needed.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
  • Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
  • Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Rivermead Mobility Index assesses

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

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