01910nas a2200229   4500008004100000245008600041210006900127300001000196490000700206520111400213653003201327653003701359653001001396653003401406653003001440653002901470653003201499100001601531700001801547700001301565856010201578       1999                        eng d00aThe use of Rasch analysis to produce scale-free measurement of functional ability0 ause of Rasch analysis to produce scalefree measurement of functi  a83-900 v533 aInnovative applications of Rasch analysis can lead to solutions for traditional measurement problems and can produce new assessment applications in occupational therapy and health care practice. First, Rasch analysis is a mechanism that translates scores across similar functional ability assessments, thus enabling the comparison of functional ability outcomes measured by different instruments. This will allow for the meaningful tracking of functional ability outcomes across the continuum of care. Second, once the item-difficulty order of an instrument or item bank is established by Rasch analysis, computerized adaptive testing can be used to target items to the patient's ability level, reducing assessment length by as much as one half. More importantly, Rasch analysis can provide the foundation for "equiprecise" measurement or the potential to have precise measurement across all levels of functional ability. The use of Rasch analysis to create scale-free measurement of functional ability demonstrates how this methodlogy can be used in practical applications of clinical and outcome assessment.10a*Activities of Daily Living10aDisabled Persons/*classification10aHuman10aOccupational Therapy/*methods10aPredictive Value of Tests10aQuestionnaires/standards10aSensitivity and Specificity1 aVelozo, C A1 aKielhofner, G1 aLai, J-S  uhttp://www.iacat.org/content/use-rasch-analysis-produce-scale-free-measurement-functional-ability