The Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living is a widely used clinical tool designed to assess a patient’s degree of functional independence. Originally developed in 1965, it provides a quantitative measure of disability by evaluating ten fundamental tasks necessary for daily living. These include feeding, grooming, bathing, dressing, bowel and bladder continence, toilet use, transfers, mobility, and stair climbing.

The index assigns scores based on the degree of assistance needed, ranging from 0 (unable) to higher values indicating independence. The maximum score is 100, representing complete independence. Intermediate values help clinicians and rehabilitation teams categorize patients into levels of dependence, which can guide care planning, rehabilitation interventions, and discharge decisions.

The Barthel Index has been validated across multiple patient populations, particularly in stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and geriatric care. It is sensitive enough to detect changes in functional ability over time, making it useful for monitoring recovery or decline. While it does not directly measure cognitive or emotional factors, it complements other assessments by focusing on physical performance of essential daily tasks.