Functional Ambulation Category
Original Editor - Rucha Gadgil
Top Contributors - Rucha Gadgil, Lucinda hampton and Kim Jackson
Objective
The Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) is a 6-point functional walking test that evaluates ambulation ability, determining how much human support the patient requires when walking, regardless of whether or not they use a personal assistive device. The FAC is a quick visual measurement of walking, is simple to use, easy to interpret, and cost-effective because only stairs and 15m of indoor floor are needed to administer the test[1].
Intended Population
It is used in Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological conditions to measure their walking ability.
Method of Use
- Clinician- ticked box of walking ability
- 5 min to complete
- Pen and paper needed
- no training requires
Instrument
Scoring and Score Interpretation[2]:
| Score | Category | Interpretation |
| 0 | Nonfunctional ambulator | |
| 1 | Ambulator, dependent on physical assistance – level I | Indicates a patient who requires continuous manual contact to support body weight as well as to maintain balance or to assist coordination. |
| 2 | Ambulator, dependent on physical assistance – level II | Indicates a patient who requires intermittent or continuous light touch to assist balance or coordination. |
| 3 | Ambulator, dependent on supervision | Indicates a patient who can ambulate on level surface without manual contact of another person but requires standby guarding of one person either for safety or verbal cueing. |
| 4 | Ambulator, independent level surface only | Indicates a patient who can ambulate independently on level surface but requires supervision to negotiate (e.g. stairs, inclines, nonlevel surfaces). |
| 5 | Ambulator, independent | Indicates a patient who can walk everywhere independently, including stairs. |
Evidence
Reliability
Validity
- Excellent concurrent validity[2]
Responsiveness
- moderate to large effect sizes when the FAC was used to evaluate change in ambulation over a period of 6-months[2]
Links
Find it here.
Related information: here
References
- ↑ Wade D.T. Measurement in neurological rehabilitation. Oxford Medical Publications, Oxford. 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Mehrholz, J., Wagner, K., Rutte, K., Meiner, D. and Pohl, M. Predictive validity and responsiveness of the Functional Ambulation Category in hemiparetic patients after stroke. Archives of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation, 2007, 88, 1314-1319.
- ↑ Holden M.K., Gill K.M., Magliozzi M.R., Nathan J., Piehl-Baker L. Clinical gait assessment in the neurologically impaired Reliability and meaningfulness. Phys Ther. 1984; 64: 35-40
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