The 13 item Self Reported Functional Measure (SRFM) was developed to provide clinically useful information pertinent to the different levels of the disablement process.  It is suitable for people with SCI and was designed to correspond closely in wording, format, and scoring to the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). While the FIM provides seven levels of measurement of 13 motor functions (basic activities of daily living (ADL)) and measurements of cognitive and communication functions, the SRFM has four-level response categories to 13 items of basic ADL and 5 items of instrumental ADL.  (The cognitive and communications domains were excluded to difficulties with accurate self-report of these items.) 

Number of Items: 18

Procedure/Administration: The SRFM is a self report tool that may be administered either in person or by mail.

How Scored: The 4-point scale is as follows: 4 = no extra time or help, 3 = extra time or special tool, 2 = some help, and 1 = total help or never do. Total scores are derived by summing the scores from each question. 

Interpretability: Scores range from 13 to 52, with lower scores indicating greater need for assistance. No cut scores or normative values are available for this tool.

Acceptability:  The SRFM is comprehensible to persons with a fourth grade reading level. The SRFM has high test-retest reliability and excellent internal consistency. The SRFM total score was significantly correlated to the hours of daily assistance the responder required.  This scale has been adapted specifically for the SCI population from the FIM.

Languages: N/a

Usability: The SRFM is a self-report tool that can be mailed to respondents.

Time to Administer: The SRFM can be completed in less than10 minutes.

Time to Score: N/a

Training Required: No specialized administration learning is required.

Availability: A complete copy of the scale can be obtained in the paper by Hoenig et al. 1998.

Equipment Required: None

Clinical Summary: The SRFM covers personal functioning such as moving around indoors and personal hygiene. The scores of the SRFM can indicate the amount of assistance (burden of care) an individual requires. This may be useful when monitoring treatment efficacy after rehabilitation or when the individual has returned to the community. With the development of the Spinal Cord Independence Measures, the use of the SRFM among SCI populations may be limited, however, there is no evidence to suggest the SRFM performs less adequately.

Psychometric Summary:

Note: +++ = Excellent; ++ = Adequate; + = Poor; IC=internal consistency; TR=test-retest