Measurement in neurologic rehabilitation.

The increasing emphasis on evaluating outcomes has led to the development of standardized health status measures. Before using one it is vital to check its suitability for the intended purpose. Will the measure detect the change or difference expected? Other more specific measures should be considered. Some focus on common impairments, such as cognitive dysfunction, whereas others focus on disabilities seen with specific pathologies such as head injury. Developing new measures is difficult and should be avoided if possible.