Purpose: Assess individuals with high-level mobility and balance deficits

Summary: Patients must be able to walk 20 meters independently without an assistive device (orthoses are permitted) to be a candidate for this test. Patients are allowed to practice items on the test before a scored assessment is taken. There are 13 items on the HiMAT and each is performed at the maximum speed that is safely possible before being rated on a 5-point scale and summed for a total score.

Equipment: Stopwatch, tape measure, house brick (or item of similar size), 20 meter walkway, and flight of 14 stairs

ICF Category: Impairment and Activity

Assessment Handout

Assessment Psychometrics

The High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT) is not suitable for use with patients with TBI that are moderately dependent or severely dependent, but is highly recommended for use with patients with TBI that are completely independent or mildly dependent. Use of this measure in acute TBI is permitted given the patient is able to ambulate independently. The HiMAT is highly recommended for use in outpatient rehabilitation and home health settings. There is not evidence to recommend the use of the HiMAT in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, or skilled nursing facilities. Students should learn to administer the HiMAT. The HiMAT is appropriate for use in research. See below for psychometrics for the HiMAT.

• Criterion Validity: Adequate with motor FIM (r=0.53), Excellent with Rivermead Motor Assessment (r=0.87)

• Floor/Ceiling Effects: Not as susceptible to ceiling effects as Rivermead Motor Assessment or Motor FIM

• Interrater Reliability: Excellent (ICC=0.99)

• Mean Data:

  • Acute: initial: 27, mean change: 10.5

  • Chronic: initial: 14.5, mean change: 7.4

• MDC: Increase of 4 or decrease of 2

• Responsiveness: Mean improvement of 12.1 points over 3 months indicating a significant change

• SEM: 1.36

• Test-retest: Excellent (ICC=0.99)

Instructional Video