Synonyms
FAC
Definition
The Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC) was an early method for classifying mobility. The primary aim in the development of the FAC was to establish a clinically meaningful outcome measure of mobility. Secondary aims were to devise an inexpensive measure that required little time for therapist training and administration yet was reliable and valid.
Current Knowledge
The FAC was developed in a cohort of 61 persons with stroke or multiple sclerosis. The FAC has six categories ranging from 0 (nonfunctional ambulation) to 5 (independent). The intermediary categories quantify levels of assistance, supervision, and independent but limited mobility. Assessors are required to observe performance over various slopes and surfaces. Spatiotemporal parameters (i.e., velocity, cadence, stride length) were correlated with the classification categories to investigate validity. Moderate to strong correlations were found between spatiotemporal parameters and the functional...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences and Readings
Holden, M., Gill, K., Magliozzi, M., Nathan, J., & Piehl-Baker, L. (1984). Clinical gait assessment in the neurologically impaired: Reliability and meaningfulness. Physical Therapy, 64, 35–40.
Morgan, P. (1994). The relationship between sitting balance and mobility outcome in stroke. The Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 40(2), 91–96.
Smith, M. T., & Baer, G. D. (1999). Achievement of simple mobility milestones after stroke. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 80(4), 442–447.
Tsang, et al. (2014). The measurement properties of modified Rivermead mobility index and modified functional ambulation classification as outcome measures for Chinese stroke patients. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 30(5), 353–359.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this entry
Cite this entry
Williams, G. (2018). Functional Ambulation Classification. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1935
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1935
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-57110-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-57111-9
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences